Barbara Ann (Bazin) Berenjdzen, 66

Barbara Ann (Bazin) Berendzen, 66, died peacefully April 29, 2013 at her home in Kirksville, Missouri surrounded by her family.

Barbara was born September 7, 1946, in Joplin, Missouri, to Joseph and Irene (Macario) Bazin.

She graduated from Helias High School in Jefferson City in 1964. She continued her education at Central Missouri State University, graduating in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. She had an exemplary teaching career in the following Missouri schools: St. Stanislaus Elementary school in Wardsville; Scotland County R-1 Elementary in Memphis; St. Joseph's Elementary in Salisbury; Valle Catholic Elementary in Ste. Genevieve; Salem Elementary; completing her 34 year career at Sacred Heart Elementary school in Sedalia. Her enthusiasm and passion for teaching was felt by every student that she touched.

She served in various social and community leadership roles including the Jefferson City Diocese Pastoral Council from 1976 to 1984, Co-Chair of the North Central Missouri United Way charity drive in 2009, and she was appointed to the Missouri State Council for the Arts in 2012. She is a member of Quota International and has served many roles in the Catholic Church parishes in which she lived.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 45 years, Sam Berendzen of Kirksville, her son Sam C. Berendzen of St. Peters, MO, and friend Kenna Heitman of Elsberry, MO, son Jay Berendzen and wife Rachel of Webster Groves, MO, and daughter Marianne Eldridge and husband John of Lee's Summit, MO. Barbara has eight grandchildren. She is also survived by two brothers, Joe Bazin and wife Marcella of Topeka, KS, John Bazin and wife Karen of Winston-Salem, NC, and three sisters, Beth Buckley and husband Jim of Sedalia, MO, Kate Bazin of Mexico, MO, and Julie Borchers and husband John of Nevis, West Indies.

She was preceded in death by her father, Joe Bazin, and mother Irene Bazin.

A visitation will be held in Kirksville at the Davis Playle Hudson Rimer Funeral Home on May 1st from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. A second visitation will be held at the McLaughlin Funeral Home in Sedalia Missouri on May 2nd, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:15 p.m., and a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. May 3rd at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sedalia. Final Christian burial will be at St. Stanislaus cemetery in Wardsville, Missouri following the mass.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to either North Missouri Hospice, or Sacred Heart School.