Barbara Ann Rohlfing

Barbara Ann Rohlfing, 79, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away on June 15, 2015, holding her husband’s hand. The sun was shining and the rain was falling at the same time - a poetic reminder that grief exists alongside the hope of eternal life in Christ.

Barbara was born Barbara Ann Baltz on March 9th, 1936 to Spencer Henry and Dorothy May Baltz in Emporia, Kansas, where she grew up. She graduated in 1954 from Emporia High School, and in 1958 from Emporia State Teacher’s College (now ESU), where she was among the first females to graduate with a degree in business. She was a member of the Tri-Sigma sorority.

Barbara served proudly and sacrificially as an Army wife, choosing to stay home and raise her three children throughout her husbands' assignments, which spanned the globe. She is preceded in death by her first husband, Maj. John Shelby Burford (KIA, Vietnam, 1967), and is survived by her husband of 44 years, LTC (ret.) Robert E. Rohlfing.

Once the children were grown, she took up a career as a realtor with JD Reece. She was always a generous, joyful, and kind hostess, mother and grandmother, putting the needs of others before her own. She was active in and held offices in the Leawood Welcomers. She enjoyed her Bridge clubs immensely, as well as singing with her husband in the choir at Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church. The family is indebted to the many who helped her during the recent years of her declining health.

From her heavenly residence, Barbara waits to be joined by her husband, Robert Rohlfing; her children: Belinda (Ronn) Simonini, Doug (Claudia) Burford, Cindy (Geoff) Gomerdinger; her grandchildren: Spencer and Titus Simonini, Shelby (Renae) Burford, Scotty Burford, Sarah (Paul) Bruss, Sean and Ryan Gomerdinger; her great-grandson: Robinson; and her brother: Richard (Bruce Pray) Baltz.

Visitation will take place at 10:30am, Monday, June 22, at Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church, at 7406 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64112, followed immediately by a funeral service in the sanctuary, at 11:30am. Her body will be laid to rest at 11:00 am on Tuesday, June 23, at Maplewood Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Emporia, Kansas. Memorial gifts may be directed to Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church. Online condolences may be left at www.mcgilleyhoge.com Arr: McGilley & Hoge, 8024 Santa Fe Dr, Overland Park, KS 66204.