Barbara J. Bush, of Caney, Kansas passed away at The Journey Home in Bartlesville, Oklahoma on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at the age of 88.
She was born on November 2, 1937, in Major County, Oklahoma near Fairview to Winfield Stillman and Wilma Ica (Cinnamon) Browning. Barbara spent her early years in Major County where she attended Cheyenne school, her family later moved to the Hulah, Oklahoma where she attended school, she completed her education in Copan, Oklahoma graduating from Copan High School, where she was an star basketball player and cheerleader during her high school years.
Barbara married Dean Bush on September 22, 1956, at Caney, Kansas. Following their marriage, they made their home in rural Caney for 70 years, Barbara was a beloved member of her community and a treasured pillar of her family. Barbara and Dean were longtime members of Tyro Christian Church and the JOY Group. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Barbara's infectious spirit and unwavering faith were the cornerstones of her life.
Barbara was a dedicated bookkeeper before her retirement, working at Automotive Control Corp. in Independence, Kansas, at the Pallet Company and Lee Fobian for over 30 years, and Caney Valley National Bank for 10 years until retiring. Her love for numbers was only surpassed by her love for her family and her church. Outside of her work and family life, Barbara had a passion for camping, word search puzzles, and sharing daily scriptural texts with her family and friends.
Barbara is survived by her adoring husband, Dean Bush; and her children, Teresa (Aaron) Rau and Gregg (Barbara) Bush, Brad (Traci) Bush; her grandchildren, Jason (Maria) Rau, Crystal Rau, Dustin Rau, Shaun Bush, Ryan (Erin) Bush, Corey Bush, Bailey (Jonathon) Beck, and Riley Bush; and her great-grandchildren, Seth Rau, Shay Rau, Charli Bush, Rhett Bush, Wyatt Bush, Lillie Bush, Colter Bush, and Kayson Beck. She is also survived by her brother, Jerry (Donna) Browning, and sister-in-law Betty Browning; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Winfield and Wilma Browning; her infant daughter Dawn Larrie Bush; and her brothers Stanley and Ray Browning; two nephew, and one niece.
A visitation with the family greeting friends will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Tyro Christian Church, 301 South Market Street, Tyro, Kansas, 67364. The funeral service will also be held at the Tyro Christian Church on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. with David Bycroft and Allan Swinson officiating.
The family suggests memorials the Tyro Christian Church or The Journey Home; contributions may be left with or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.
We encourage all who knew and loved Barbara to share their memories and upload photos to her memorial page at www.dwbfh.com.
