Martha Barnhardt, beloved wife, mom, grandma and great-grandma, died Friday, August 4, 2023 at Hill Top House, Bucklin.
She was born June 27, 1935 in Syracuse, Kansas, the daughter of Alfred and Edna (Lesh) Collingwood. She grew up in Johnson, Kansas and graduated from Johnson High School. She attended Baker University for three years and graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Physical Therapy. On July 20, 1958 she married Robert Gordon Barnhardt, Jr. in Johnson, Kansas. Upon the birth of their first child, she made the decision to quit her much-loved job at the physical therapy department on the KU campus to become a full-time wife and mother.
Martha was a gentle, loving, wise and patient person and also an avid believer in serving and supporting the Bucklin community upon moving there in 1971. She was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church, 4-H Community and Project Leader, Director of the Farmers State Bank of Bucklin, founding member and Treasurer of the Bucklin Community Better Life Foundation, past President of the USD 459 School Board, past Board Chair of the Bucklin Hospital District, Director of the Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas, and Director of Collingwood Grain. She loved playing duplicate bridge with her friends at the Dodge City Senior Center and party bridge at the Bucklin Senior Center, cheering for the Chiefs and Jayhawks, gardening, cooking and, in her younger years, bowling and sewing.
Survivors include: Her husband of 65 years, Robert Gordon Barnhardt, Jr., five children, Brenda Pace (Dan) of Pretty Prairie, Kansas; Rebecca Barnhardt of Bucklin, Kansas; Roger Barnhardt (Stacey) of Lakin, Kansas; Bob Barnhardt (Beth) of Durango, Colorado; and John Barnhardt (Janese) of Nixa, Missouri; a sister, Cynthia Saunders of Gillette, Wyoming; 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Edna Collingwood; a sister, Mary Clawson; a brother, John Collingwood; and two great-grandsons, Carson and James Barnhardt.
A private family gathering took place on August 8, 2023 at Lone Star Cemetery, Pretty Prairie. A casual Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the American Legion Hall, 101 S. Nebraska Avenue, Bucklin, Kansas.
The family suggests memorials to the Bucklin Community Better Life Foundation or the Hill Top House, both in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Avenue, Dodge City, Kansas 67801. Condolences may be sent to www.zieglerfuneralchapel.com.