Barbara Ann Nordling
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Lawrence, Kansas – Barbara Ann Nordling, 94, formerly of Hugoton, Kansas, passed away peacefully March 27, 2023 at the Neuvant House of Lawrence, Lawrence, Kansas. She was born June 10, 1928 at Cordell, Oklahoma to Rosalie (Kuns) Burkholder and Clarence D. Burkholder.
Barbara was raised in McPherson, Kansas. She attended McPherson College for one year before transferring to the University of Kansas. Barbara met the love of her life, Bernard Erick Nordling in the summer of 1947 in McPherson when he returned from military service. They were married on March 26, 1949 after Bernie graduated from KU Law School. Bernie and Barbara decided to move to Hugoton in southwest Kansas, where he started practicing law and they began raising a family.
While living in Hugoton for 50 years and while raising their large family of five kids, Barbara contributed a great deal of her time and life to the well-being of her church and community. Barbara loved singing in the Methodist church choir and in a barbershop quartet. She also served on many church committees, including music and worship, flower and decorations, and served as youth leaders with Bernie for several years.
She served as a Girl Scout Troop Leader. Barbara was also instrumental in starting the Hugoton Community Theater. Barbara was an excellent and avid swimmer and founded a local water ballet team. She was a master gardener, and was quite active with painting, ceramics, macramé, and aerobics. Also, while in Hugoton at the age of 50, she began to express her creativity by taking oil painting classes, learning to paint portraits, landscapes, flowers, and birds.
While in Hugoton in the early 1980’s Barbara was invited to become a member of the Advisory Board of the KU School of Fine Arts. When Bernie retired from the active practice of law in 1993, they both decided to move to Lawrence so they could enjoy the arts, and of course KU sports, where they made their permanent home.
As a member of the KU Fine Arts Board, Barbara was able to participate in the planning stages of the Lied Center for the Performing Arts. Barbara established a scholarship through the Kansas University Endowment Association for Kansas students living west of U.S. Highway 81 for any student interested in arts and design. Barbara proudly received the Ellsworth Medallion in 2001, 4 years after Bernie received his in 1997. The Fred Ellsworth Medallion is the KU Alumni Association’s highest honor for extraordinary service to KU.
She cherished her service in numerous committees and organizations while in Lawrence, including: Campaign Kansas Southwest Kansas Committee; Life member of the Chancellor’s Club; Lied Board of Governors; Lied Directors Search Committee; Dean of Fine Arts Search Committee; Friends of the Hall Center for the Humanities; KU Osher Lifelong Living Institute Board; KU Continuing Education; Lawrence Arts Center; Spencer Museum of Art of KU; Board member of the Women Philanthropists; WP4KU; Philanthropist to Theatre Lawrence; School of Music’s Camerata Club; International Institute of Young Musicians; Jayhawks for Higher Education; Meadowlark Garden Club; and P.E.O. She and Bernie were also instrumental in forming the New Generation Society of Lawrence.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Bruce Burkholder, and sisters Janis Albert and Elaine Sayler.
Barbara is survived by her five children, daughter Karen and Mike Koehler of Lawrence, Kansas; daughter Kristine and Nick Stepaniuk of Chesterfield, Missouri; daughter Leslie and John Petz of Council Grove, Kansas; son Erick and Debbie Nordling of Hugoton, Kansas; and daughter Julie and Steve Andrews of Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is also survived by her grandchildren (by family): Karen’s children, Daniel Koehler and Kalaina Mercer; Kristine’s children, Karissa Gilkison Chott and Tyler Gilkison; Leslie’s children, Jason Petz, Brandon Petz, and Cameron Petz; Erick’s children, Erica Nordling, Ryan Nordling, and Burk Nordling; and Julie’s children, Josh Snyder and Kylie Andrews, along with step-granddaughters, Marie Andrews and Shannon Andrews. In addition, she has twenty-two great grandchildren.
There will be a visitation from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W 13th St, Lawrence, Kansas 66044.
Celebration of Life services are set for Sunday, April 23rd at 10:30 a.m. at the Lied Center in Lawrence. Interment will follow on Monday, April 24th at 10:30 a.m. at the McPherson Cemetery in McPherson, Kansas. Warren-McElwain Mortuary, Lawrence, will be handling the services.
In lieu of flowers, friends and family may send memorial contributions in Barbara’s name to the Lied Center of Kansas, 1600 Stewart Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66045, or may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary at the address listed above.
For more information or to post a condolence go to www.warrenmcelwain.com.
The sweet spirit of our wonderful Barbara will live on in so many ways. She was truly a gift to the world and an elegant and caring human being.
I feel blessed to have known her.
I’m so sad to hear of Barbara’s passing. She was such a beautiful person inside and out. She loved her family, her friends, her community and was beyond talented in many ways. I loved seeing her almost every day for the last few years. We always had so much to talk about. Im missing her smile.
Erick, Debbie & Family…
Jana & I want to send our condolences to all of you at the passing of your beautiful Mother, Barbara. It is so hard to lose a loved one. We pray that there will be comfort in sharing the wonderful memories that you and your family have lived together. Hugs to you and your family!
Barbara Nordling was a wonderful beautiful lady who I enjoyed working for I learned a lot of things from her and I know her beautiful smile is looking down on all her family and friends RIP sweet lady you will be dearly missed your friend Lorraine Martinez 🙏💔
Barbara really was an absolute darling. She had style, a great spirit, was witty and we always had a good time in her company.
I was a bit young during the first time we all met, in Sweden and back then it was the humor that impressed me most. Some years later when I was looking more inte our heritage, we came to visit Lawrence, and their beautiful home.
During the years we all got a better understanding of all of the things she and Bernie did for both the family and not the least for the community. Then just as you think you know it all, there is another thing that they did for others.
A really big heart, and just as my own mother, someone that made you feel really welcome, is what I will remember.
Our Love and thoughts are with you family!
Erick, Debbie and all of the family. I was sorry to read this. Losing a loved one is never easy as you know. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, all. Cherish the memories as I know you will. Love and hugs to you, all, always.
I’m very sorry of your incredible loss. All of your family. She was an incredible woman. Inspiring and loving.
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother and our Dear Friend. We are in Cape Town, South Africa but will be home for the service in April. Sincere condolences to you all.
Barbara was a lovely, gracious and beautiful woman (both inside and outside) and FUN! Several women in Hugoton took belly dancing classes at an outreach class at the school. Barbara invited some of us over to her home to practice our moves and there were lots of “belly laughs” as we tried out what we had learned in class. She was a very inspiring and remarkable lady. I am so grateful that God’s plan for me included her. I know her family will miss her and I am sad in my heart for their loss. May the Lord’s love and peace comfort you all during this time of sorrow.
Barbara was not only one of the most beautiful and gracious people I’ve ever known, she also was genuinely interested in each person she met. The Lawrence community, Lied Center, KU School of Music, and many others have been tremendously enriched by her wide range of support. I’ll deeply miss her wonderful presence