Barbara Ann Clevenger

Barbara Ann (Bowling) Clevenger, 88, passed away in Denver, Colorado on April 29, 2023.

Barbara was born on February 16, 1935 in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of Patrick and Xyla (Seed) Bowling. She attended St. Vincent de Paul Grade School and St Francis de Sales High School, both in Denver. She remained an active alum of the class of 1953. She studied at Colorado State University where she met the love of her life and future husband, Robert L. Clevenger. They married in 1957 and started a family the following year. Barbara was a devoted mother to five children. She was an enthusiastic supporter of all their activities and loved spending time skiing, hiking and biking with all of her family in the mountains.

Barbara was a supporter of the arts, but her favorite hobbies were traveling and cooking. While raising her family, Barbara travelled throughout the United States. As an empty nester, she expanded her excursions to include Europe, Russia, the Baltic, Fiji, and her favorite location, Hawaii. Barbara became an expert cook over the years giving her idol, Ina Garten, a run for her money.

Barbara was able to squeeze in a part time career with all of her other responsibilities. She worked as a kindergarten PERA/teacher’s assistant at Willow Creek Elementary School in the Cherry Creek School District for over 20 years. Her volunteer service included room mother, girl scout leader, team mom for baseball, and Symphony Debs. She spent many years helping at Cherry Creek High School in a variety of roles.

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Bob, and their youngest daughter Mary (Dana) Gemmingen. She is survived by her children, Michele (Keith) McElreath; Pam (Mike) Camp; Jeff (Doreen) Clevenger and Steve (Kathleen) Clevenger. Barbara will be deeply missed by her ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A Mass will be held on Monday, May 8, at 11:00am at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Centennial, Colorado. A Celebration of Life will follow. Memorials are suggested to the National Kidney Foundation and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.