Barbara Petro

Barbara Sheidley Petro, 90, of Topeka, Kansas passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 10, 2014 surrounded by family members.

She was born in Kansas City, Missouri, December 1, 1923. She was the eldest child of Betsey Edwards and Hubert O. Sheidley. She was educated in the Kansas City, Missouri Public Schools and attended the University of Missouri, Kansas City and Kansas State University, where she graduated in 1945 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics and Art. On June 22, 1946, she married Robert Kelsey "Pete" Petro of Topeka, Kansas, who preceded her in death by 11 months in 2013. She is survived by her brother, William E. Sheidley (Harlow) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; her sister, Betsey S. Fletcher (John) of Shawnee Mission, Kansas; and by her four children, Deborah G. Rasch (Dana) of Peoria, Arizona; Christopher J. Petro, M.D. (Cindi) of Oro Valley, Arizona; David R. Petro (Nancy) of Lecompton, Kansas; and Susan J. Lane (Bruce) of Topeka, Kansas; as well as by nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Barbara was a loving and dedicated mother, homemaker and community volunteer as well as a talented artist. She loved expressing her creative gifts through the arts of home design and decoration, stained-glass art; and painting in oils, acrylics and watercolor. She placed first in numerous juried art shows and her paintings are to be found hanging in many business lobbies and private homes throughout the Midwestern states. She loved to cook and entertain and with her husband, Pete, they made their home the bustling hub of family social events, holiday celebrations, parties for friends and Kansas State University game-watching events. Barbara was also a passionate gardener who delighted in painting her garden and home with a riot of glorious floral color.

With her husband, Pete, she was an aficionado and collector of fine antiques and art. Sharing this avocation, they bought and sold antiques through their hobby business, Petro's Minitique, operating sales booths in several area antique malls over the years. Together, they delighted in scouring shops and flea markets for bargains wherever they traveled. In retirement she and Pete became avid world traveler's and enjoyed seeing all regions of the planet while creating many wonderful memories to share.

Barbara was active in her community as a long-term member of the Topeka Junior League, including serving as a past Chairwoman of its annual Next To New fundraising sale. She was also a charter member of the Woman's Board of the Mulvane Art Center, a volunteer with the Topeka Art Guild and a volunteer with Topeka Artists Associated. She was a Brownie Scout and Girl Scout Troop Leader; and she also served as a Cub Scout Den Mother. She was a member of The First Congregational Church of Topeka, Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority Alumni Association, the National League of American Pen Women and the Topeka Country Club.

Cremation is planned. A memorial ceremony will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, September 15 at First Congregational Church, 1701 SW Collins Ave., Topeka,. Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel is assisting with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Robert K. & Barbara Petro Agronomy Scholarship c/o the Kansas State University Foundation, 2323 Anderson Ave., Suite 500, Manhattan, KS 66502–2911; or to the Helping Hands Humane Society, Inc., 5720 SW 21st St., Topeka, KS, 66604.

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