Barbara Gosnell

Barbara Jane Gosnell, 77, of Mountain Home, Arkansas passed away Tuesday, July 1, 2014, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. She was born January 11, 1937, in Long Beach, California. As a child, she moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where she eventually met and captured the heart of Bruce Gosnell. They were married on August 7 1955, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Bruce's career serving America in the United States Air Force took them around the world while raising their family. Bruce said it was the military wives who deserve the medals. After "their" retirement, they settled in Mountain Home, Arkansas. She spent the next several years working at Small World Preschool, where she was known as the beloved "Mrs. Barb". She treated every child as her own. Her hobbies included gardening, cooking, crafts and spending endless hours creating beautiful Christmas Stockings for all of her family. She was also an active member of the Hilltop Extension Homemakers Club. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her children and grandchildren. Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Bruce Gosnell of Mountain Home, AR; son and wife, Ron and Belinda Gosnell of Mountain Home, AR; son, Gary Gosnell of Rapid City, SD; daughter and husband, Nancy and Mike Paris of Sturgis, SD, son-in-law, Chris Apa of Rapid City, SD and brother and wife, Jerry and Rosemary Pease of Phoenix, OR. She has 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. We are comforted knowing that she is now reunited with loved ones who have passed on before her including her parents, Joe and Bernice McNabb; mother and father-in-law, Raymond and Esther Gosnell; daughter, Sharon Apa; brothers, Dick Pease and Danny McNabb; sister, Joan Hughes and great-granddaughter, Andie Jane Apa. Visitation will be Sunday, July 06, 2014 from 5:00 until 8:00 pm, at Kirby & Family Funeral Home Chapel. A Funeral Service for Barbara will be 10:00 am, Monday, July 7, 2014, at Kirby & Family Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Gary Tubb officiating. A private family burial will be at the Cedar Memorial Park, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Memorials may be made to Make a Wish Foundation or charity of choice. Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Barbara Jane Gosnell please visit our Sympathy Store.