Barbara 'Barb' Ellen West
1949 - 2023
Barbara Ellen (Brown) West, 73, of Plainville, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2023, after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer.
She was born on December 27, 1949, in Natoma, Kansas, to Kenneth and Viola (Baum) Brown. She graduated from Plainville High School in 1968. After graduation, Barb went to beauty school in Salina, Kansas, and this was also where she met the love of her life, Larry.
Barb and Larry were united in marriage on July 2, 1971, in Plainville and were inseparable for the next 52 years. They were blessed with three children; a boy, Travis, who died five days after birth, and two daughters, Jenny and Jaymme. Barb was a secretary for many years for her husband's welding service and her parent's oil business, Kenny Brown Enterprises. Later, she worked as a receptionist and was known as "the voice" of Dessin Fournir.
Barb was a beautiful and sweet soul and a woman of faith. Her family was her pride and joy, and everything she did revolved around them. Whether it was playing cards with them, making food for them, or traveling for her grandkids’ sporting events every weekend. She was the best wife, Mama, Grandma, teacher, and biggest supporter. Barb loved to be outdoors and spent many years outside planting flowers and going fishing. She was an excellent fisherwoman, even known to out-fish Larry. Barb also had a knack for crafting, making wreaths, and crocheting blankets, to name just a few more things she loved and did well.
She is survived by her husband, Larry of Plainville; daughters, Jennifer Lynne Plante, Plainville, and Jaymme Marie (Grant) Arnold, McPherson; five grandchildren: Chelsey West, Hays, Taylor Meitler, Bonner Springs, Jared Plante (Marissa Befort), Plainville, Justin Plante (Emma Humphrey), Plainville, and Dawson Arnold, Manhattan; three brothers: Kenny (Rhonda) Brown Jr., Zurich, Blaine (Amy) Brown, Plainville, and Shayne (Tierra) Brown, Plainville; a sister-in-law, Paula Brown, St. Paul, Minn.; and a brother-in-law, Steve Ruder, Hays.
She is preceded in death by her parents; infant son Travis William West; sister Linda Ruder; brother Greg Brown; niece and nephews Leslie Brown, Bo Brown, and Andrew “Andy” Brown.
A Memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at the United Methodist Church, 1002 Madison Street in Plainville. Inurnment will follow at the Plainville Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, April 24th, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Plainville.
Memorials are suggested to the Rooks County Health Center and Dreiling Schmidt Cancer Center and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd Plainville, KS 67663.
