Kathryn Barth

Kathryn V. Barth – April 2, 1926 – November 27, 2020 Kathryn V. Barth passed away at Ponderosa Villa, Crawford, Nebraska on Friday, November 27, 2020 at the age of 94. Kathryn (Kathy) was born on April 2, 1926 to James D Tice and Louisa Eunice (Calame) Tice on April 2, 1926 in Gordon, Nebraska. Kathy spent her youth on the family farm southeast of Gordon, Nebraska during the “dirty thirties.” She would talk of her family life during this time as being tight but always having the family together and plenty to eat. While growing up, part of her time was spent helping the family of five children by watching the cattle, raising the garden, climbing and oiling the tallest windmill in Sheridan County, and family get-togethers, especially the picnics along the Niobrara River. Attending school a mile from her home through eighth grade, she would ride her horse to the country school in good weather or her father would drive her to school. Kathy attended high school in Gordon where she lived in town during the week, living with a family with children for whom she would babysit when the parents went out, and going home on weekends. She also worked at the local movie theater as an usher where she was able to see her favorite movies several times. Kathy graduated from Gordon High School with the class of 1944. Shortly after graduating, Kathy and a friend went to Grand Island to work in the Cornhusker Ordnance Plant, (munitions plant) to help the war effort – she said that her job was making bombs. Next, she taught school for one year in Cody, Nebraska – where she was known as Katie, and later at Beaver Valley north of Hay Springs, Nebraska. While teaching at Beaver Valley in 1945, she attended a dance with friends and met Clifford (Cliff) Barth who had recently returned from WW2 where he had served in North Africa and Europe. They were married in June of 1947 after a blizzard that delayed their wedding by several hours. The newlyweds moved to Alliance, Nebraska where Cliff was working. To this union were born three children, Ellen, James (Jim), and David. In 1951, Kathy was confirmed into the Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church LCMS where she also taught Sunday School. Kathy worked as a homemaker in addition to working for JC Penny’s, ASCS, PCA, Gibson’s, Iron Man industries and Weight Watchers. Kathy and Cliff continued in their dancing and also attended many of the area square dances. Staying busy was a habit with Kathy. She was always busy with different tasks – such as sewing – making many of the clothes for her children, husband, and herself, doll collecting, collecting dishes, cameras, reading and writing. The hobby that Kathy and Cliff shared was photography. Both would take pictures and discuss their settings and whose camera actually took the better pictures. They captured many memories of places and occasions which are fondly remembered by her family. When the children were grown and gone, Kathy continued staying busy by taking college courses (computer, writing, and history) and joining a writing group to share her recollections of her youth and family. A big highlight of their life was a trip to Turkey where their son Jim and family were living while Jim was stationed there in the USAF. After an extended illness Cliff died after 43 years of marriage. Kathy, in time, chose to return to a busy life, attending her church groups, clubs, and classes. One night she attended a square dance and became reacquainted with Art Mischnick (he and his late wife had square danced in their early years also). The two were married in 1993 in Alliance. Both enjoyed the church, volunteering, AARP and other organizations. After Art died in 2000, Kathy continued to be a busy person attending area dances, doll shows, and her many other interests. In 2015, Kathy moved to Crawford, Nebraska to live with her daughter. Kathy was preceded in death by her husbands: Cliff Barth and Art Mischnick, her son: David, her parents: James and Eunice Tice, her brothers: Leroy and Donald Tice, her sisters: Evelyn Skanadore and Mary Lucille Cone, brother-in-law: Donald Barth. She is survived by her children: Ellen (William) Gartner of Crawford, Nebraska, Jim (Jeanie) Barth of Beaverton, Oregon, and her grandchildren: Lauri (Ken) Puttman of Beaverton, Oregon, Tim (Amy) Gartner of Rapid City, South Dakota, Stephanie Barth of Hastings, Nebraska, Katie (Bret) Featherngill of Chadron, Nebraska and seven great grandchildren. Interment will be in the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, SD. Memorials can be given to Ponderosa Villa Retirement Home, Crawford, Nebraska.