Barbara Jean Berry, 72, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at home, Tuesday June 4, 2024 in the comfort of her family's presence. Barbara was born February 15, 1952 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Kilus and Marie Caldwell. Barb had a happy childhood in Indianapolis with her 2 sisters and a brother. There were many days and nights spent playing with the neighborhood children, riding bikes and exploring. When she was a teenager, her family moved to the country, it was there that she fell in love with horses and barrel racing. She would still tell a good barrel racing story and talk about her love for her horse Lady if you had the time. When she went to college, she sold her horse to one of the professors and was able to continue riding while in college. Barb attended Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO. It was at BBC she was reunited with the love of her life, Jerry Berry, after meeting for the first time at youth camp their senior year of high school. They were married June 9, 1973. From that union they were blessed with two children, Caren and Scott.
Barb and her family lived in many different places for the ministry, before settling in Fort Collins, CO in 1990. Barb enjoyed being a pastor's wife, but also enjoyed working in the school systems, especially when her kids were young. She continued that until she started working for the hospital. She made so many lifelong friends and enjoyed the work she did. One of the biggest things she took pride in was taking care of the love of her life after an accident left him paralyzed. She truly honored her vows of promising to love in sickness and health.
After retiring from the hospital, Barb just couldn't sit still. She ended up getting a part time job at Kohls. She loved getting out of the house and spoiling her kids and grandkids with deals she found! She loved reading, watching movies, swimming and enjoyed family vacations as her kids were growing up and then with Jerry before his accident. Her pets were her biggest joys; in her younger years horses, to later in life her shelties and her bunny Daisy. She was the best "Nana". She loved her two granddaughters Hailey and Alyssa and wouldn't miss one event, program, graduation or sporting event as they were growing up. She always wanted to be involved and would always show up for them. She would refer to them and their mom as "her girls". As they got older, she loved her phone calls and outings with them just as much.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Jerry Berry; parents Kilus and Marie Caldwell; Brother James Caldwell; and granddaughter Anna Ridnour. She is survived by her daughter Caren M. Ridnour; Son Scott A. Berry; granddaughters Hailey and Alyssa Ridnour; Sisters Diane (Russ)Hale and Sharon Alpers; along with many nieces and nephews.
Barbara will always be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, "nana", sister and friend. She will be greatly missed by all of those she touched. Her faith remained strong, even when faced with Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer. She would reassure her family by saying, "Why worry when you can pray."
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to either Children's Hospital or Craig Hospital, 3425 S Clarkson Street, Englewood, CO 80113.
Visitation will be held at Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive Street in Fort Collins, on Friday June 14, 2024 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. A Graveside Service will be held at Roselawn Cemetery, 2718 E. Mulberry Street on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. A reception will be held at noon, following the service, at 5257 Fox Hills Drive Fort Collins