Barbara Louise (Haney) Sell

Barbara Louise (Haney) Sell was born on November 11, 1948 in Hutchinson, Kansas - the daughter of Virgil and Nina Marie Haney. The youngest of four siblings, Barbara was raised on a farm in rural Reno County near the small community of Turon, Kansas. Barbara graduated from Fairfield High School in 1966. Barbara then attended Kansas State University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Child Development in 1970.

Barbara met her husband, Phil, at K-State and they were united in marriage on August 8, 1970. From that union came two daughters, Erin Elizabeth and Amy Renee.

While Phil finished graduate school, Barbara worked on the staff at the Riley County office of K-State Research and Extension, in Manhattan. As newlyweds, during the 1970/1971 school year, Barbara and Phil served as house parents for the Delta Chi Fraternity, at K-State, where Phil was an alumni member.

Barbara accompanied Phil to Fort Lee, Virginia where she worked at John Tyler Community College as an office professional. Then, after moving back to Kansas 1978, Barbara pursued a degree in elementary education at Washburn University, graduating in 1984. Barbara then accepted a teaching position in the Santa Fe Trail school district at the Carbondale Grade School where she taught second grade for 20 years.

Barbara retired from the Santa Fe Trail school district in 2005, after which she worked as a paraprofessional in the Shawnee Heights School District as a tutor at Tecumseh South Elementary School - a job she held for 5 years.

Barbara was an active member of the Highland Park United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school for more than 20 years and served in many other capacities. Barbara also volunteered at the Topeka/Shawnee County Public Library and served as a "big sister" in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.

Barbara was an avid gardener, a dedicated K-State fan, liked to read, complete word games and puzzles, and watch purple martins come and go. She also enjoyed the smell of mock orange, lily-of-the-valley, and honeysuckle in her back yard and the annual appearance of lightning bugs. Barbara and Phil traveled to many parts of the country on family vacations and attending professional meetings.

Barbara's family was an important part of her life. She enjoyed hosting family gatherings, attending school functions, sporting events, and other activities involving her children and grandchildren.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Phil of the home, daughters Erin Myers (Brady) and Amy Jordan (Brian) - both from Topeka, a sister Virginia Wilson (Gary) in Cawker City, Kansas and a brother , Richard Haney (Julie) - Lake Carmel, New York, as well as grandchildren Jacob Myers, Ava Jordan, Ella Myers, and Mae Jordan.

A funeral service will be held at Highland Park United Methodist Church at 10:00 AM on Thursday, July 27 - interment will follow immediately at Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM on Wednesday, July 26.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Memorial Garden at Highland Park United Methodist Church, 2914 SE Michigan Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66605 or the Alzheimer's Association, 3625 SW 29th St., Ste. 102, Topeka, Kansas 66614 or to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, Virginia 22312.

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