Barbara Jean (Holbert) Johnston, age 87, of Concordia, Kansas, entered into rest on Thursday, August 1, 2019, at Sunset Home Inc., Concordia, Kansas.
Barbara was born at home, in rural Aurora, the twin daughter to Fred and N. Winona (Larson) Holbert, on January 30, 1932. She attended Dist. 62 Cottonwood Grade School for 8 years, and was a 1949 graduate of Concordia High School. She also attended Midwest Airlines School, Kansas City, Kansas.
She worked at McCoy Jewelers, Midwest Electric, Concordia, Russell Stover Sales, Kansas City, Kansas, Public Service and Braniff Airways, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Nichol Jewelers, Pensacola, Florida, and Johnston Buick, Phil’s Jewelers, Bon Mache and the Flower Gallery, Concordia. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, VFW Ladies Auxiliary and volunteered at World Clowns of America, Mid-Way Antique Automobile Club, Inc., Lincoln Township Clerk 23 years, and Cloud County Historical Museum.
Barbara married Harold “Bo” Johnston on May 27, 1953, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They made their home in Pensacola, Florida, while in the Navy. He survives of the home.
She is survived by her husband, Harold “Bo” of Concordia; her children, Machelle Raleigh (Tom), Clyde, Kan., Marcia Jensen (Jerry), Jamestown, Kan., Modene Smith (Terry), Salina, Kan., Kevin Johnston (Kelly), Salina, Kan., Kurt Johnston (Toni), Concordia, Kan; brother, Dean Holbert, Concordia, Kan.; 10 grandchildren, Dara Raleigh-Sampson, Jill Sulanka, Stephanie Avery, Ashly Doering, Amber Braley, April Hlad, Jenna Patterson, Travis Smith, Trevor Smith and Jarrod Johnson; 18 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Helen Belle Gildersleeve.
Visitation will be Wednesday, August 7, 2019, from 1-8 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6-8 p.m. at the Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 8, 2019, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Concordia, with Fr. Steven Heina officiating. Burial will follow at St. Concordia Cemetery, Concordia.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church or Kindred Hospice, McPherson, Kansas, in care of the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.
