February 4, 1932 - January 10, 2021
Barbara was born in Napoleon Ohio on February 4, 1932 to Robert and Doris Baker. She grew up in multiple locations around the US including Florida at 5 years old. Her brother said that she really picked up the accent (sounding like a Georgia cracker). At 9 years old her family moved to Michigan. She spent the summers as a girl with her grandmother, Emma Baker (whom she adored), and Aunt Helen in Napoleon Ohio.
Barbara graduated from Owosso High School, Owosso MI in 1950, and attended University of Michigan to start nursing school until she had her thyroid removed. She finished nursing school at Bethel School of Nursing in CO Springs, graduating in 1954. She worked in various hospitals as a surgical nurse for a number of years. She was also a preschool teacher for several years in Sioux Falls SD. She attended University of Arkansas where she received a bachelors in Social Work and did social work in the Bella Vista, Bentonville, and Springfield areas of AR.
She married Edwin Kerr Sisk on March 26, 1955 in Ferndale, MI. They had 3 daughters whom they raised in Michigan, Ohio, New York and South Dakota. She loved her daughters very much and made sure that they appreciated the fine arts (i.e. music, plays and dance).
In her early years, Barbara loved sewing, knitting and gardening. She has always been an avid reader and loved watching movies (at one point she had well over 200 movies). She loved going to the opera and owned many on LP. She also loved going to plays. She and Edwin volunteered at church, Meals on Wheels, Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter, Operation Christmas Child, and other community organizations. The also loved entertaining friends and family.
She is survived by her brother James (Darlene) Baker, daughters Elizabeth (Greg) Carlson, Nancy (Bob) Arends, and Martha (Tom), 8 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
The memorial service and internment for Barbara and her husband Edwin will be scheduled for later this year in Bella Vista, AR. Details to follow. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the charity of your choice.
