Barb Elliott Obituary (1941 - 2020)

Barb graduated from Hastings High School, moved to Lincoln and attended Lincoln School of Commerce. Upon graduation from Lincoln School of Commerce, she began her one and only job with State Farm Insurance. Over the course of 42 years, Barb participated in many State Farm activities, including the State Farm women's softball team and volunteering in the annual city paint a-thon, Bike Rodeos and blood drives. Most important about her State Farm career are the countless number of valuable and cherished friends and co-workers relationships and friendships that have continued on, even after retirement. She looked forward to the comradery when attending the current, monthly State Farm retiree luncheons. Barb did take on an additional responsibility when she became a partner in the Beverage Cooler, Inc. and utilized her excellent skills in bookkeeping, payroll, audits and taxes. While enjoying her young adult years, Barb bought her first home at 7421 Lexington and shared her home with her mother, Eula, until 1993. They were quite a team and you experienced family at its best. It is too bad Barb didn't learn mom's cooking skills. Music and dancing were Barb's middle name. She enjoyed collecting many music boxes. During her younger adult years, she worked very hard to keep Robbie's Happy Corner and The Grove in business, as her nighttime entertainment when there wasn't any other "live" music or concerts that she enjoyed. She enjoyed playing cards with her "lunch group" every day at work. Many evenings and weekends were spent playing cards with family or friends and she didn't like it if anyone was "cheating". In her retirement years, she belonged to two card clubs that met once a month and like dancing, it was an honor if you were her partner. Her retirement days always started with a cup of coffee and working the JUMBLE scrambled word game in the daily Lincoln Journal Star, which she was very good at solving. If she was home and not busy doing her favorite chores of washing and ironing, she always tuned in Jeopardy in the afternoon and the evening started with the news and followed by Wheel of Fortune. While she thoroughly enjoyed going to concerts, The Lied Center, Lincoln Community Playhouse, history, fireworks, or museums, going to movies was very high on her to-do-list. Following the Huskers year around and traveling, when she was able, were probably at the top of her favorites list. You could count on Barb to be packed, ready to go and loved to travel with Carol or Sally or sister Peg, or nieces, Betty and Debbie, friends or her very special family friend, Kim or any or all of the above. The year of 1994 was a wonderful beginning of another journey in the lives of Barb, Sal and Carol as they purchased a town home together. Thru thick and thin, the friendship survived and provided the support for all three through individual challenges, especially Barb, in her last year. Tons and tons of memories, adventures, travels, and tears live in our hearts and we feel so blessed we have had our time together. Barb loved to sit outside and talk with our awesome neighbors, watch and listen to the beautiful variety of birds, wave to the passer-byes going thru our association, keep track of how many helicopters landed at St. E's and on a first name basis with the FedEx driver and postman, that delivered the mail, personally to Barb, once in a while, to say "hi" and check on her. Barb loved her country, her flag but most important, her family and friends. Barb is survived by her nieces and nephews, Debra (Mike) Chesterman, Jim (Rhonda) Frack, Betty Frack, Kathy (Lane) Luttrell, Ron (Sharon) Karnes, many great-nieces and nephews, close family friend, Kim Greenwalt; roommates, Sally Greenwalt, Carol Ferate. Preceded in death by parents, Abie and Eula Elliott; nephew, Larry Karnes, sisters, Ilene (Bud) Karnes, Lenora (Steve) Nelson, Peg (Harold) Frack. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be directed towards the Foodbank of Lincoln, or Lincoln Children's Zoo.