Barbara passed away November 17, 2012. This bio was added in July, 2012 by her son Eric Dendinger.



I am Barbara’s youngest son, and write this on her behalf.  Over the past few years, my mother’s health has declined considerably due to a nearly 30 year battle with diabetes.  Due to complications of the disease, her mental acuity has diminished profoundly.  She now resides in a specialty care home in Mesa, Az.

I know she wishes she could have attended the reunion, so she could catch up with long lost friends.

Mr. Hightower asked me to write something about what she had accomplished over the past 50 years. 

As far as education after high school, what do kids remember?  She would tell you she attended Stephens College in Columbia, Mo and received an AA degree in Business Administration.  She returned to Wheat Ridge and started a family.  She continued her education while raising 2 boys and finally received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Regis College in Denver.  I remember the day she graduated (mostly from pictures, as I was still pretty young) but receiving that degree was so important to her, and quite an accomplishment. 

As far as work history, what do kids remember?  She would tell you she worked as a senior administrative assistant for Climax Molybdenum Company until she was laid off in the early 80’s.  After that she held many positions as an office manager for a local construction company, international services coordinator for a golf equipment company, and finally an administrative assistant for the commander of the US Army recruiting battalion for the state of Colorado.  She volunteered endlessly with the Arvada Chapter of the Jaycees and could always be counted on to help with the annual Harvest Festival and other activities.  I will remember she was always a hard and dedicated worker always trying to make ends meet in hard and difficult times, but she never missed a school concert, a Boy Scout meeting, or soccer game.  She returned home night after night and helped provide for her family.

As far as exotic travels, what do kids remember?  She would probably tell you she travelled a little here and there, mostly for work; seminars or conventions, except for a special time she took her eldest son to Cancun for a week and enjoyed the beaches and sun.  I will remember our week-end camping trips to the great Rocky Mountains where my mom taught my dad and her sons how to fish!  And the seemingly endless Monopoly games we would have in our little camper.

As far as hobbies, what do kids remember?  She would tell you she loved her friends and family.  Monthly bridge games, bowling on Sunday nights, crocheting blankets by a warm fire, gardening in the back yard and of course season tickets to the Denver Broncos.   I will remember my hobbies were also hers.  Anything her children did or needed she was always right behind us.

As far as family, what do kids remember?  She would tell you about her marriage with her high school sweetheart, Curt, and was sadly divorced after 20 years but remained great friends until his passing 10 years later.  She would also tell you about her 2 boys and 5 beautiful grandchildren who live in sunny Arizona, which is where she moved almost 8 years ago so she could be close to her family.

I ask you again, what do kids remember?  My mom is, and ever shall be a devoted, loving, caring and conscientious person who always gave everything she had to those who needed it.  She made our family, in every sense of the word, a FAMILY!