Barbara Ellen Gust

Barbara Ellen Gust, 86, died in Denver, CO on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. The cause of death was from complications due to the coronavirus.

Born June 12, 1933 in Utica, Mississippi, Barbara was the third of six daughters of Emma Fisher Hutchins and Edwin Hutchins. Barbara and her sisters moved to Bolton, Mississippi, where she attended elementary school and high school. The Hutchins sisters played on the six-player half court women's basketball team at Bolton High School. Barbara, also known as ""Dink,"" was remembered as a fierce defender, despite her five-foot frame, while playing for the Hinds Junior College women's team. From an early age, Barbara loved hiking and the outdoors, beginning with memorable days on her grandfather's property along the Natchez Trace near Utica. After high school, Barbara moved to Jackson and worked for Knox Glass and eventually Humble Oil Company.

While in Jackson, Barbara met the love of her life, Lysle Gust. They married, welcomed their only child, Art, a year later, and moved to Talara, Peru where they spent three years living abroad. They returned to New Orleans for a stint before another move that landed them in Wichita, Kansas for several years. Barbara and Lysle eventually settled in Littleton, Colorado, where she resided for the past 47 years.

Barbara loved the outdoors in Colorado and was an active walker, hiker, and cyclist around Bow Mar South and the Vail Valley. She enjoyed watching any football game from her beloved SEC, especially the Ole Miss Rebels. She was an avid bridge player who gave all her winnings to her grandchildren. Barbara was very social and enjoyed playing bridge and mahjong with neighbors and friends throughout Littleton, Bow Mar South, and the Cove at Grant Ranch. An exceptional baker, Barbara made exotic birthday cakes, most notably ""the penguin cake,"" and specialty cookies – Moldy Mice and Hello Dollies. The neighborhood boys in Bow Mar South could not resist the temptation to sneak a taste of the Moldy Mice, but inevitably they would be caught by the powder sugar traces on the corners of their lips. No one could eat just one of her Moldy Mice cookies.

Once her grandchildren arrived, her attention shifted to indulging them in fun and specialty treats. She would play dress up with the girls, letting them try on her finest clothes, shoes, and jewelry. She doted on all three grandchildren, hand and foot with unlimited popcorn, milkshakes, and other goodies. Saturdays at Grandma Barbara's were spent eating sugar, watching college football or Gone with the Wind, and playing Maisie. Barbara was a great conversationalist who enjoyed listening to their stories. Additionally, she was known for her spunky fashion style and was often seen adorning something with sparkles or gold. Sundays with Barbara were reserved for her beloved Denver Broncos - she never missed a game.

Along with her love for sports, Barbara was an avid reader, particularly passionate about romance novels and mysteries. Travel was another livelong interest, as Barbara visited numerous places especially her beloved former home, New Orleans. The culture and cuisine of the ""The Big Easy"" brought Barbara comfort and fond memories. Her greatest love in life was her family. She never missed an opportunity to make time for her grandchildren, call her sisters, or share stories about her mother.

Survivors include: her son, Lysle A. Gust, Jr, her daughter-in-law, Carolyn S. Gust, her grandchildren Dylan A. Gust, Erin M. Gust, and Caitlin F. Gust, all of Greenwood Village, CO, her sisters Martha Stehling of Houston, TX and Charlotte Snook of St. Michael's, MD, her brothers-in-law Wayne Leming of Braxton, MS, William Snook of St. Michael's, MD, and Steve Stehling of Houston, TX, and numerous nephews and nieces. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Lysle A. Gust, her mother, Emma Fisher Hutchins, her father, Edwin Hutchins, and sisters, Dorothy Nixon, Betty Jane Hazelwood, and Shirley Leming.

Due to the coronavirus, only a private service will be conducted at this time. However, a celebration of life service and reception for family and friends will be held during the summer of 2020. Barbara will be buried alongside Lysle at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

 

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