Barbara Leona Powell

Barbara Leona Powell passed away March 31, 2024, at the Washington County Nursing Home in Akron, Colorado. She was 84 years old.

Barbara was born on March 11, 1940, in Yuma, Colorado to Harold and Gertrude (Hodgkins) Aagesen. She was the third of four children. Barbara attended Pleasant Hill School until the 7th grade. Then she attended the Red Willow School where she graduated from the 8th grade. She helped her dad do custom farming and rode horses in the Fair (barrel racing).

Barbara remembers the hats and coats her mother hand made for her and her sisters to wear. When growing up on the farm north of Yuma, Barb loved to ride her horse, Queeny, with her dad and her sisters, Hellen and Betty, and brother Sonny. Some of the funny memories while on the farm are when Barb was leading Queeny up to the water trough to drink and Queeny nudged Barb with her nose and Barb fellinto the water trough. So, Hellen jumped in and went swimming in the trough with her. Another experience is when all four of them went riding together on one horse, the horse stepped into a hole and all of them slid off the backend. Hellen remembers beingthe last one on the horse and ending up on the bottom pile. The next time they got back up on the horse Hellen said "I want to be up front instead of the last one on "but she stillended up on the bottom of the pile. When it came to driving, Barb wanted to learn to drive the jeep, but Hellen got behind the wheel first. Barb was mad that Hellen wouldn't let her drive. So, they took off and when coming into the yard Hellen couldn't reach the brake very wellto slow down, so she turned the key off and was coasting into the yard and the house was getting closer. Hellen asked Barb, "Push in on the brake", but Barb wouldn't because she was mad that Hellen was behind the wheel instead of her, and the jeep slammed into the house.

Barb loved living the country life, the peace and quiet were what she loved the most. Barbara met and married Kenneth Powell on October 1, 1960, at the family home in Yuma. Then they moved four miles east of Yuma. To this union three sons were born. Stewart, Tony, and Tim. Then the family moved north of Yuma to Fidelity Farms (which Kenny managed).

In 1980, Barb divorced Kenny and moved into town. She worked at Wheeler's and Hall's Grain in Otis. In January of 1982 she started driving the school bus for the Yuma School District. Her kids called her"Grandma Barb" all the time. She was that grandma type. She was a very loving person. She had a tote on the bus with extra gloves, hats, and a blanket on the bus.

In 1990, Barbara took a year off to help take care of her mother due to health issues. Then she returned to driving the bus untilher retirement in 201O. She was a very dedicated and safe bus driver for 27 years. With the extra free time, Barbara enjoyed following her grandkids to all the activities they were involved in. She enjoyed crocheting afghans, baby

blankets, and loads of potholders. She was active in a bowling league, loved reading, playing Bingo, playing cards, especially liars dice, and dancing at the Legion Hall.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; Harold (Gertrude) Aagesen; brother, Harold Aagesen, Jr., sister Betty (Vincent), one granddaughter, Merrisa.

She is survived by her sons, Stewart (Tammy) of Yuma, Colorado; Tony (Shelly) of Kersey, Colorado; Tim (Sara) of Yuma, Colorado. Sister, Hellen Jones (Tom) of Akron, Colorado; Grandchildren, Casidy, Trenton, Debra, Charleen, Jeffery, Arianne, Sabrina, Nicole, Tessa, Timothy Jr., and Leona; nineteen Great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, bus drivers, and friends.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 9, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Yuma with Michael Fitzsimmons officiating. Interment at the Yuma Cemetery. Services were directed by Baucke Funeral Home.

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