IN MEMORIAM

EXPANDED EULOGIES

Barbara Atkins

Barbara Vantuyl Atkins passed away Friday at age 84.

She was born March 1, 1936, to Joseph and Helen Taylor Vantuyl in Peabody and graduated from Peabody High School in 1953. Barbara married William Atkins in 1955.

They moved to Kansas City, Kansas, in 1956, where she completed her nurse’s training at Bethany Hospital School of Nursing in 1957. She spent her entire 42-year nursing career at Bethany Hospital. A majority of those years were spent working in intensive care. She retired in 1998. 

Barbara was an active leader in Cub Scouts and Campfire. She volunteered at the Presbyterian Manor, Cancer Action and hospice services. She was a member of White Church Christian Church. 

She protected and led her family with much love and caring. She was the fun grandma who dressed up for Halloween, directed her grandchildren in plays that she wrote for holiday family gatherings (she also was the costume designer). Easter egg hunts and pumpkin pickings always were grand events. She cherished the time she spent with family and friends.

Barbara was preceded in death by parents Joe and Helen Vantuyl, brothers Robert and Larry Vantuyl, sisters Edith Houseman and Jeanne Francis, daughter Kathy Cygiel, and son David.

She is survived by brothers Mervin and Jay Vantuyl; sons Dan (and wife Betty) and Mike (and wife Michele), daughter-in-law Debbie Atkins, son-in-law John Cygiel, grandchildren Eric Laundy, Will (and wife Molly) and Seth (and wife Jennifer) Atkins, Ryan Atkins, Ashlee and Max Atkins, great-grandchildren Nora Daniel Atkins, and Henry Atkins. 

Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. Friday at Porter Funeral Home, 1835 Minnesota, Kansas City. A funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to White Church Christian Church, 2200 N 85th St, Kansas City, KS 66109.