Barbara J. Rieb

Barbara Jean (Ochsner) Rieb was born in Goodland, Kansas on August 18, 1930 and entered eternal life on December 5, 2011. 
 
Barbara was the first child (the oldest of six) of Edwin ("EF") and Catherine (Tagtmeyer) Ochsner, the daughter of a wheat and cattle farmer and granddaughter of a homesteader on the western Kansas Plains. After finishing high school at age 16, Barbara taught at the one-room country school in Sherman County. She married at age 18 and had one  living son, Tim, from that marriage. As a young, single mother in her 20s she completed a certificate in medical technology and went to work at the hospital in Goodland, Kansas. She and Clarence Rieb married in Goodland in 1959. They became parents of two daughters in 1961, Karlys in February and Karyn in December. 
 
Clarence, Barbara and the family moved to Denver in 1963, where Barbara continued her career, working for over 30 years at Belle Bonfils Blood Bank. Both Clarence and Barbara grew up in the Lutheran church and they were active members of their home congregation in Denver, sent their children to Lutheran schools, and became members of Lutheran Valley Ranch. Over the years, Barbara has served as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, pianist and organist. She was a member of the Lutheran Chorale of Denver for many years, traveled with them on numerous trips abroad and served as a board member and president. 
 
An accomplished seamstress, Barbara was able to recreate expensive creations on a budget. She led a 4-H sewing club for several years, sewed clothing for all her children and enjoyed making costumes for theatre productions, uniforms for musical groups, and creations for special events for family and friends. 
 
Young Barbara loved to read and was known to read by candle light, read while other kids were outside playing, even while milking cows. As an adult, Barbara shared her love of books with her children, making a weekly trip to the local library with them and subscribing to many literary book clubs and scientific magazines, and continued this passion for reading until a stroke rendered her unable to do so in the last few months of her life.
 
Known for her independent and adventurous spirit, her sense of humor, her ongoing interest in life, willingness to try new things and have some fun in the process, Barb will be missed by family and friends alike. 
 
She was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband Clarence Rieb in 2002. She is survived by her siblings Brandt Ochsner, Bethel Goltl, Bruce Ochsner, Boyd Ochsner and Bonnie Thompson, many nieces and nephews, her children Tim, Karlys and Karyn Rieb, grandchildren Kellie Bodin, Lisa and Kristy Rieb, great grandchildren Megan, Andrew, Caleb and Ethan.
 
A memorial service will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 2695 S Franklin St. in Denver, Colorado, on Friday, December 9, 2011 at 10:00 am.
 
Memorials may be directed to Christ Lutheran Church, 2695 S Franklin St., Denver, CO 80210 or to The Lutheran Chorale of Denver,http://www.thelutheranchorale.org/support.html