Barbara Lou Liester

July 25, 2025

Barbara Lou Liester, 91, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025. Born on January 15, 1934 near Goodland KS to Mac and Ruth Purvis, Barbara was loved by family and friends for over nine decades.

Married to Arvin Liester of Menlo KS in 1953, Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who was known for her kindness and generosity. She graduated from Weskan High School (1951) and attended Fort Hays Kansas State College for 2 years where she obtained a provisional teaching certificate (1953).

She was preceded in death by her husband Arvin Liester, brother Lawrence Purvis, brother-in-law Charles Paul, son-in-law John Peterson, and two great-grandchildren Noah Murphy and Sophia Murphy.

Barbara is survived by three children: Michelle (John) Peterson of Topeka KS, Mitch (Paula) Liester of Colorado Springs CO, and Monelle Liester of Aurora CO.  She has 6 grandchildren – Vinnie (Melissa) Murphy, Jenna Moore, Jordan Liester, Brianna Liester, Maya Liester, Jai Liester  – and 3 great-grandchildren: Malik Murphy, Elijah Murphy, Hannah Murphy.

Barbara was the oldest of 7 children and is also survived by her siblings: Carolyn (Charles) Paul of Goodland KS, Shirley (Charles) Renyer of Topeka KS, Elaine (John) Welsh of Weskan KS, Mary Foos of Overland Park KS, Sharon (John) Hendricks of Bird City KS, and sister-in-law Madge Purvis of Sharon Springs KS.

Barbara worked as a secretary and registrar at several schools in the Colorado Springs area including Monroe Elementary, Emerson Junior High, East Junior High, Doherty High School, and Coronado High School.

Throughout her life, Barbara was known for her amazing cooking. Her homemade cinnamon rolls remain a topic of discussion among those she shared them with for the last three quarters of a century. She loved to sew, can fruits and vegetables, cook, and entertain family and friends. She held an annual soup dinner for her neighbors and gave out homemade donuts to trick-or- treaters for generations. Barbara also loved embroidering, quilting and traveling.  She cruised to multiple destinations around the world including the Caribbean, Europe, Central America, and South America.

Barbara’s family remembers her as a loving, generous matriarch who loved getting her family together to eat, play cards, watch sports, and solve jigsaw puzzles.  She was an avid gardener and loved to work in her yard.  Barbara’s legacy lives on through the kindness and generosity she shared with others.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Koons-Russell Funeral Home Friday July 25, 2025 at 10:30 AM MT followed by a burial at the Goodland Cemetery. After the burial, family and friends will gather at the Goodland United Methodist Church at 1116 Sherman Ave, Goodland KS to share memories and celebrate Barbara’s life.

Barbara will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her memory will be cherished forever.

Memorial contributions may be made out to the Barbara Liester Memorial Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences to the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland, KS.