Barbara Eschenheimer (nee Huston) left this earth on September 4, 2024 at 9:30 P.M. following a battle with cancer. She passed peacefully with her husband of 60 years by her side holding her hand.

Barbara was born in Kearney, Nebraska to Steve and Laura Huston. She spent her early childhood in Mattoon, IL and her teenage years in Tulsa, OK where she met her husband. She attended Monte Casino School for girls in Tulsa graduating in 1960. Her husband Jim graduated from the boy’s school, Cascia Hall, just down the street.

Barbara attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS where she majored in elementary education. She graduated in 1964. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Upon graduation, she married her husband Jim and after Jim’s brief stint in law school moved to Chillicothe, MO. In Chillicothe she began her teaching career at Dewey School.  She later stopped teaching to become a full-time homemaker and mother.

After several moves around the country, the family settled in Lee’s Summit, MO where Barbara began her teaching career again. She taught for 20 plus years in the Lee’s Summit school system and continued substitute teaching for three years after her retirement in 2002.

Barbara was an avid shopper. She could find a deal where there was no apparent deal, and often returned home having purchased nothing. She would say she was waiting until they reduced the price a second or third time. She loved playing cards and being with her friends. She enjoyed frequent lunches and dinners with friends. She led an active and productive life. She never left the house unless she was completely “put together” and would not even walk to the mailbox unless she was wearing fresh lip stick. No person ever heard her utter a swear word.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Steve and Laura Huston and her sister Virginia Rhodes. She leaves behind her husband Jim Eschenheimer, her daughter Kristin Eschenheimer (and son-in-law Bryan Castleberry), her son Nick Eschenheimer (and daughter in-law, Whitney Eschenheimer)  two grandsons Andrew Eschenheimer and Luke Eschenheimer and two sisters Kathy Sargent and Jane Humphreys.

There will be a private memorial graveside service for the immediate family. Rather than flowers and other condolences the family requests donations to St. Luke’s Hospice & Home Care, 3516 Summit Street, Kansas City, MO 64111. (givesaintlukes-classy and follow the prompts to donate).