Barbara J. McPherson, 81, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at the Cherry Village Nursing Home, Great Bend.
She was born Jan. 12, 1931, at Fort Wayne, Ind., to Arthur and Vada Wasson. She was a 1954 graduate of the University of Kansas School of Nursing. She married Brock R. McPherson March 25, 1951, at Arkansas City. She served as executive director and instructor for the Assoc-iation for Con-tinuing Education, Great Bend, an educational consortium of several hospitals in central Kansas. In addition, she has also served as an instructor through Barton County and Dodge City community colleges, presenting in-service education for 25 long-term care facilities in the Great Bend area.
Barbara was involved in several professional organizations and activities. She served on the Kansas State Nurses Association as president and District 7 board member. She served on the Kansas Association of Hospital Educator Coordinators and also served as president. Additionally, she has served on the Barton County Health Fair Board, the Kansas Organization of Nurse Leaders and the KNAP Board. In 1991, the Kansas governor appointed her to the Kansas State Board of Nursing, where she was president for two years and served until 1995.
Barbara also was involved in community organizations and activities. She was active in the League of Women Voters of Great Bend. She chaired the Local Health Study of Barton County and published a book identifying all health-related resources available to the public. She also served on the boards of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, Golden Belt Community Concert Association and USD 428, Great Bend. She also was active as a Cub Scout den mother, Democratic chairwoman, secretary for Women Democratic Clubs of Kansas, Hi Steppers EHU, Panther Booster Club, United Funds, Diabetes Association, Heart Fund, Cancer Fund, March of Dimes, Business and Professional Women, Pilot Club, Vintage Wheels, Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing and South Central director of Jaguar Club of North America.
Survivors include her husband, Brock R. McPherson, of the home; four sons, Brad R. McPherson and his wife, Suzanne, Van Buren, Ark., Brit R. McPherson and wife, Denise, Weatherby Lake, Mo., Blair R. McPherson and his wife, Teresa of Hays, and Boyd R. McPherson and his wife, Lisa, of Wichita; eight grandchildren, Melanie Baker, Brice McPherson, Kelsie Norwood, David McPherson, Courtney McPherson, Emily McPherson, Hugh McPherson and Baylor McPherson; and four great-grandchildren, Parker McPherson, Daniel Norwood Jr., Brooke Norwood and Benjamin Norwood.
She was preceded in death by a grandson, Brandon McPherson.
The funeral will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at the First United Methodist Church, Great Bend, the Rev. Tom Sheldon officiating. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery.
Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend.
Memorials may be made to the Golden Belt Community Concert Association, the Great Bend Community Theatre, Barton County College Nursing or the Barton County Historical Society, in care of the funeral home.
Personal condolences for the family may be left at www.bryantfh.net.