Barbara Anne (Parr) Schulte, 72 of Russell, Kansas died Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell.

Barbara was born May 8, 1941 in Glendale, California to Ben and Helen (Earnhardt) Parr.  The oldest of three children, she had one brother Stephen Parr (deceased) and one sister Casey (Craig) Dodd.   She was raised in Pratt, KS but loved spending time in Medicine Lodge, KS visiting her Grandmother Gertrude Earnhardt and Uncle Errol Parr.  On April 3, 1959, she eloped to Tucumcari, NM and married August L. Schulte.   Most knew him as “Buck” but to her he was always “Augie”.  To this union they were blessed with three children:  Debbie (Schulte) Gier (deceased), Greg (Denise) Schulte and Susan (Wes Regensberg) Schulte.  Some of her greatest pride and joy came from her children and grandchildren.  Grandsons:  Nathan (Tiffany Putz) Schulte, Brent (Sara) Schulte, Jacob (Faryn) Schulte, David Gier, Jarett (Lesa) Schulte, Trey Schulte and Great grandson Logan Schulte.  Step grandchildren Amanda Regensberg, Shane Regensberg, Sonya (Ryan) Jennison, Tyler (Kayla) Nuss, Hailie Whitmore and Ashton Putz.  Step great-grandchildren Harper Nuss and Ike Jennison.  Even through the loss of a daughter and a divorce, many years ago, she continued loving relationships with Steve (Vickie) Gier and Phyllis (Jeff) Billinger.  She felt truly blessed to have friend and caregiver Gerald Stoppel, faithful canine companion Dolly and family and friends too numerous to mention.  It is no wonder she had so many dear friends, to her a stranger was just a friend she hadn’t met and all of her work led her to more friends.  She began her working as a carhop at the Char-Burg in Pratt.  After moving to Russell in February 1964 and having all of her children in school, she returned to work at the Daylight Donut Shop from 1968 - 1974.  She then went to work at JC Penney Co until the Russell store closed in 1987.  She took a short time away from work and enjoyed going with Augie on short work trips.  They were almost always accompanied by grandson Jake.  She returned to work at Coast to Coast in 1988.  Over the years the store changed brands and owners but she remained a constant.  She retired from Pohlman’s Hardware store in 2004 to care for Augie who was battling lung cancer.  He lost his battle with cancer April 20, 2006.  
Although she was a wife and working mother she made time for clubs and activities.  In 1964 she became a member of the Russell Tops Club and remained an active member and assistant weight recorder for many years.  While a member of the Russell Saddle Club, she enjoyed the meetings but riding her horse “Bull” in the parades or just feeding, brushing and “talking” to him gave her great pleasure.   That horse was her “therapist” and she always said, “If that horse ever learns to talk, I’ll have to kill him”.  In previous years she enjoyed bowling on a league and going to state tournaments.  A huge NASCAR fan, she rooted Dale Earnhardt, Jr. on to many victories.  Tiger Woods was her Golf hero.   In later years, she enjoyed trips to the casino and playing Bingo with her friends and family.  She volunteered with the Russell Regional Hospital Auxiliary for several years.  

Celebration of Barbara’s Life will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, March 31, 2014 at the First Congregational Church with Pastor Ron Wedel officiating.  A graveside service will be held at 2:30 PM Monday at Highland Cemetery in Medicine Lodge, Kansas.  Visitation will be from noon to 8:00 PM Sunday at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell with the family present to greet friends from 6 PM to 7 PM.  A Memorial has been established with the Russell Regional Hospital.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.