Barbara Ann Johannes

Barbara Ann Johannes was born to John and Wilma Hackett on September 28, 1944. She was the oldest of eight children raised in a very busy house on York Street in Denver. Barb attended St. Philomena’s Grade School and Cathedral High School. After graduation, she briefly attended Colorado College in the nursing program. In 1965, she met Don Johannes; they married in 1966, and together had three daughters. In 1970, they moved to the house on Bayaud Avenue, where Barb lived the next 47 years until her passing, two days short of her 73rd birthday. After they divorced, Barb and Don remained friends through the rest of her life. As a single mom, Barb juggled a career in the business printing industry, while tirelessly attending soccer games, orchestra and band concerts, swim and gymnastics meets, and numerous other activities related to her daughters. In 1987, life changed once again for Barb when Cindy joined the Johannes household. Cindy entered, taking on the role of second “mom,” saying, “I now have the children I never had.” Together, Barb and Cindy built a lifelong friendship, cultivating some of Mom’s greatest joys in her life: gardening, their home in Florida, going to the beach, golfing, and above all, loving and spending time with her children and grandchildren. In 2008, Barb received the diagnosis of breast cancer, and immediately began her fight. Repeatedly, she proved that her will to live was stronger than the cancer by beating every new recurrence as well as the odds. Her love for her family, friends, and her life strengthened her determination each time' and she made the most of every extra moment she fought for. Barb lost her battle with cancer at 1:14 A.M. on September 26. She was deeply loved by her family, friends, and everyone who knew her. She will be profoundly missed. Several loved ones departed before her, including her parents, a dear aunt, a brother, and her beloved first grandson, Michael. She leaves behind her dearest friend, Cindy Sutherland; her daughters, Kathy (Niels) Rytter, Karen (Ben) Davidson, and Kelly (Tim) Kleeman; and her grandchildren, Ryan and Jack, Kyla and Evan, and Tarrah, Carina, Josie, and Timmy. She is also survived by six brothers and sisters, numerous nieces and nephews, and friends too many to count. A Memorial Service for Barbara will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2017, at 1:00PM at Horan & McConaty 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd. in Lakewood. Please share your condolences with her family by signing the guestbook below.