Barbara Ballmann Katz, 82, of Kansas City, passed away surrounded by family on June 24, 2023, after a courageous fight against leukemia.
Barbara was born on Nov. 23, 1940, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to her late parents, Ralph and Elizabeth “Betty” Ballmann. Barbara graduated from Hurley Hospital School of Nursing in Flint, Michigan, with a nursing degree in 1961. She worked as a nurse in Denver, Colorado, where she met Stephen P. Katz. They moved to Kansas City and married in November of 1968.
She volunteered at Brandeis University Women, Menorah Auxiliary, and KU Medical Center before working there full-time until her retirement. She raised her daughters in Kansas City and supported their various endeavors throughout their school years and beyond.
She often said her proudest accomplishment was her family and especially her six grandchildren. She was adored by many and had several lifelong friends and extended family whom she always made feel welcome and important. She valued honesty and acceptance, and she put family relationships above all else. She was loyal, kind and had the most loving and accepting nature. She was selfless and giving, and approached any obstacle with a positive “can-do” outlook. She was a constant presence in her grandchildren’s lives and loved to spend her time with them. She spent her life nurturing those she loved and was always there for those who needed her.
Barbara spent her time with family and close friends. She was an avid reader, loved playing games and enjoyed several hobbies including calligraphy, sewing and doing puzzles. She will be remembered as a tireless caretaker of those she loved, possessing a fun sense of humor, and having an independent spirit.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Jennifer and Mike Krause of Leawood, Kansas, and Laura Katz and Pat Stang of Kansas City, Missouri; her grandchildren, Katie, Charlie, Eleanor, Sophie, Vivien and Emily; her older brother, Neil (Claudia) Ballmann, and sister-in-law, Vicki Ballmann; her Katz family: Stephen P. Katz (Sharon), Ward (Donna) Katz, Diane Shoemaker Katz, and numerous family members who loved their “Auntie Barb.” She was preceded in death by her younger brother, Tom Ballmann; sisters-in-law Susie Ballmann and Leslie Katz Cohen; niece Emily Cohen; and brother-in-law Earl “Buzz” Katz, Jr.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 20, at Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Ave. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to the National MS Society (nationalmssociety.org/Donate) or the Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1).
Condolences may be shared at louismemorialchapel.com.
