Patricia Barker

Patricia R. Barker, 75, of Fort Collins and Red Feather Lakes, passed away Sunday, April 24, 2005, at Poudre Valley Hospital of sudden heart failure. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St. A memorial service will be held at Chapel in the Pines in Red Feather Lakes at a later date. Patricia R. Barker was born April 16, 1930, in Omaha, Neb., the daughter of Wallace and Ruth Olson. She was raised in Omaha and attended the University of Nebraska and Colorado Women's College in Denver. Patricia married Eugene "Gene" Barker on July 21, 1950, in Red Feather Lakes. After their marriage, she attended the University of Northern Colorado, where she received a bachelor's degree in teaching. She continued her education at Colorado State University, where she received a master's degree and also earned 99 credits toward a Ph.D. Patricia taught school at Red Feather Lakes for two years and Barton Elementary School in Fort Collins for 23 years. After retirement, she enjoyed golf, bridge, summertime at the Red Feather Lakes cabin and traveling. She was an extensive traveler, visiting the Great Wall of China, Australia, Europe, Panama, Alaska, England, Scotland, Norway, Greenland and other places of interest. One of her greatest pleasures in life was seeing former students who thanked her for the morals and inspiration she instilled in them. Patricia belonged to the Alpha XI Delta Sorority, RHO Chapter, Order of the Rose; Larimer Squares Questers; the Red Hat Society; Lady Elks; and a local traveling bridge club. She also was a member of the Republican Women Groups and has been a delegate to county and state convention assemblies. In addition, she was a breast cancer survivor and counseled others with cancer. Patricia is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Gene; three sons, Brad Janet, Ken Sheri and Paul Patti of Fort Collins; a daughter, Janet Angelico Paul of Highlands Ranch; her sister, Carol Gentile of Denver; and her brother, Richard Olson of Danville, Calif. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Red Feather Lakes Trails and Parks or American Cancer Society, in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive St., Fort Collins, CO 80524.