Barbara Elaine Dykstra, 87, Atchison, Kansas died Saturday, May 18, 2019 at Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, Missouri. Barbara was born on May 28, 1931, in Atchison to Alfred and Susie (Hopple) Moore. She grew up and went to school in Atchison throughout her childhood.

Funeral services will be Thursday, May 23, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. in the chapel of the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home, with Rev. Matt Broxterman officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens. Visitation with the family will precede services on Thursday, from 1:00 until 2:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to First Christian Church and may be left in care of the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home, with whom the final care has been entrusted. Online condolences may be left at www.arensbergpruett.com.

Barbara graduated from Atchison High School 1949 and a year later married the love of her life, Aaron Lee Dykstra, on August 20, 1950. They raised a daughter and three sons in Atchison and remained together until his death in 2001.

Barbara started working in the office of Electra Manufacturing while still in high school. She continued working at Electra until she had her first child in 1952. She then became a stay at home mom until 1965 when she went to work for Pamida in Atchison. She retired after 20 years with Pamida, most of the time spent as the office manager. Barbara then went to work for the Atchison County Treasurer’s Office. She worked there full-time until 1994 and then worked part-time until 2005 before retiring for good.

Barbara loved her family and was highly involved in her children and grandchildren’s activities. She devoted her time and attention to her children’s education by being a homework checker, room mother, scout leader, and PTA member, serving multiple times as PTA president. She attended all of her children’s school programs and activities and sporting events and attended as many of her grandchildren’s activities as possible, given that they lived as far away as Wichita and Lakin, KS. She also enjoyed playing cards, reading, working puzzles, watching the Royals, and talking politics.

Barbara is survived by her children: Diane Dykstra, Atchison, KS; Kevin Dykstra, Atchison, KS; Mike Dykstra, Lakin, KS; and David and Polly Dykstra, Atchison, KS; her grandchildren: Adrienne and Tim Neaderhiser, Franktown, CO; Allison Dykstra, Overland Park, KS; Blake Dykstra, Manhattan, KS; Chad Dykstra, Kansas City, MO; and Nathan Dykstra, Manhattan, KS; her three great granddaughters: Liberty, Caydence, and Sierra Neaderhiser of Franktown, CO, and her beloved sister, Sue Billington, Watauga, TX. She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.