Barbara May Gaede 79, of Hiawatha, died unexpectedly Saturday evening, December 15, 2018, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka.

Barbara was born in Troy, KS, October 17, 1939, one of seven children born to the late William and Dorothy Huber Brook and had lived in Hiawatha nearly all of her life. She grew up at Hiawatha where she attended school, later working to earn her GED.  She worked as seamstress at the Horton Garment Factory for several years.  She most importantly was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.

Barb attended the First Christian Church in Hiawatha. She was dedicated a sponsor of the Brown County Humane Society.  Through the years, she enjoyed attending the monthly genealogy meetings in Hiawatha.

She married Bill Gaede. They worked together in housekeeping for a number of years at the Brown County Courthouse.  He died in 2002.  She was also preceded in death by her parents; step-children:  Bill Gaede, Jr., Debbie Helms; two sisters:  Wilma Fischer and Mary Ellen Schoonover, infant sister Patricia Brook; and grandson Joseph Douglas Kaufman.

Survivors include two sons: Kenny Kaufman (Mary), David Kaufman (Georgia), all of Hiawatha; two daughters:  Kim McQueen (Brian) of Hiawatha, Lyn Henry (Brian) of Shawnee, KS; step-son Terry Gaede of Johnson, NE; two brothers:  John Brook (Sandy) of Grain Valley, MO, Ben Brook (Deborah) of Colby, MO; sister Pauline Blanton of Hiawatha; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-granddaughter.

Memorial services are planned for 11 a.m. Thursday, December 20, 2018, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. Pastor Tom Stone will officiate.  Inurnment at a later date at the Hiawatha Cemetery.

The family will meet with friends one hour prior to services.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Brown County Humane Society, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

A special message or remembrance may be sent at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com