July 19, 1942 - September 25, 2019
Barbara Roswitha Poole (Bayer), 77 years young, is in a better place now after a brave fight of dealing with stage IV lung cancer for almost 2 years. She’s finally reunited with her husband after being separated for over 20 years, her parents and her sister. Barbara was born in Radolfzell, Germany, on July 19, 1942 to Emma Biller Bayer and Josef Bayer. She had a great childhood and loved hanging out with family/friends and going dancing. Her biggest complaint was her brothers stealing her cigarettes when she was younger! She married an American GI, Walbert Otho Poole, which led to her being in the States since the mid-80s, primarily living in Ellsworth, KS. One of her favorite joys, was watching her 2 sons play football throughout their school years. She was an avid sport fan – enjoyed watching football, soccer, Formula 1/other car races, and wrestling among many. She’s been living in Spokane, WA, for the past 1.5 years during her brave fight; she missed Ellsworth though all the way to end! She also enjoyed volunteering in the kitchen for many years at the Ellsworth Senior Center; she was always willing to lend a hand! She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister Gretel Bayer Bruestle and her brother-in-law Juergen Bruestle. Barbara leaves behind her daughter and son-in-law, Michaela (Micki) Bayer Kolander & Danny Kolander; her son Kirk Poole; her son and daughter-in-law, Audie & Sarah Poole; her 2 granddaughters, Isabel & Chloe Poole; her grandsons, Lance Kolander and his fiancée Sandra, & Troy Kolander, and 3 great-grandkids – Samuel, Savannah and Tatianna. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Siegfried & Helga Bayer, Volker & Brigitte Bayer, and several nieces and nephews. A special mention goes out to her great-granddaughter Savannah, with whom she got to spend a few weeks this summer, and her great-nephew, Matthias, who got to spend the last 6 weeks of her life with her here; she enjoyed having deep conversations with him. An extraordinary thank you goes out to her son-in-law, Danny, who was her “Medical Uber” to the end; he was a true blessing to her! Condolences may be sent to PO Box 361, Ellsworth, KS 67439 or 7303 E. Bigelow Gulch, Spokane, WA 99217. Feel free to make donations to Breast Cancer Research Foundation or Cancer Research Institute in New York, NY. There will be no formal service held per her request.
