Barbara Lou Dew
Barbara Lou Dew
Barbara Lou Dew
1946-2015
Barbara Lou Dew, 68, Ottawa, Kansas, found peace from her brief struggle with cancer on October 1, 2015 at the age of 68. Barbara was born in Maryville, Missouri. December 24, 1946, the only child of Elvin Lloyd and Elizabeth Ann (Botkin) Anderson. Her childhood was spent on the family farm just west of Skidmore, Missouri. Barbara completed her 12 years of education at Skidmore; she graduated as Valedictorian and was the very last graduate of Skidmore High School in 1964. Because the school was consolidating and the upper grades would no longer be there, the decision was made for the graduates to proceed in reverse alphabetical order.
Barbara went on to attend University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri and received a double B.A. degree in Library Science and Literature in 1968. Years later, in 1986, Barbara received her Master’s Degree in Library Science at Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas.
Shortly after graduation from M.U., Barbara was united in marriage to Woodrow W. Dew on June 15, 1968 at the Ashland Avenue Methodist Church in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Barbara’s library career began in Richmond, Missouri at the high school there, then moved to Kansas and became librarian at the Prairie View Jr. High School, Lacygne, Kansas. Upon a further move to Ottawa in 1970, she became the Jr. High Librarian.
In 1975, Barbara started work at the Ottawa Public Library, where she ultimately became Director. She was honored with the Kansas Library Personnel Award in 2006. Upon retirement in 2007, Barbara became involved with Franklin County Historical Society and the Ottawa Library Endowment Fund.
Barbara was an integral part of the General Edward Hand Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, (Ottawa, Kansas) holding offices on both the chapter level and the Kansas State level. Her Auntie Vi drafted both her and her cousin Marilyn into D.A.R. in 1968, because she was recruiting “Junior” members. Barbara served as a page for the Daughter of the American Revolution Continental Congress in Washington, D.C.
Barbara also belonged to many other organizations including P.E.O.-A.U., Daughters of Colonial Wars and Daughters of American Colonists.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband Woodrow W. Dew of the home, her cousin, Marilyn Ruddell Pope (Thurl) of Williamsburg, New Mexico, Marilyn’s daughter, Georgia Beth William (Keith) of North Pole, Alaska and Lorinda Forster (Richard) of Hilo, Hawaii, Sister-in-law Phyllis Dew Krebs (Phillip) of Springfield, Missouri, Brothers-in-law Gerald Dew (Peggy) of Burlington Junction, Missouri, Jerry Dew (Anita) of Maryville, Missouri, Steven Dew (Catherine) of Higden, Arkansas, and Robert Smith of Canel Winchester, Ohio, along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death is her father Elvin Lloyd Anderson, her mother Elizabeth Ann Botkin Anderson Ringold, and Sister-in-law, Mary Josephine Dew Smith.
Barbara loved to travel and explore new places and was always ready for an adventure, researching history or family genealogy, literature, movies and art. She was always trying to expand horizons, her own and others. Her adventurous spirit and organizational skills were inspiring to those who knew her. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and she will be greatly missed by all.
A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made out to the Prairie Paws Animal Shelter, Ottawa Library Endowment Fund, Franklin County Historical Society or the charity of your choice in c/o Lamb-Roberts Funeral Home P.O. Box 14, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.
The family extends great gratitude to the staff of Hospice House, Olathe Medical Center, Olathe, KS. For their compassion ate! care of Barbara and support of the family during Barbara’s illness.
