Marilyn Rhea (Somers) Barrett, 90, of Pratt, Kansas, and formerly of Paradise, Kansas, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2020 at the Pratt Health & Rehabilitation Center in Pratt.
Marilyn was born August 25, 1929 in Altoona, Kansas. She was one of five children born to Rhea Moore and Thelma Doris (Davis) Somers. She grew up in Altoona, Paradise, Bird City, Kansas, Spring, Kansas and Ensign, Kansas. She attended and graduated from Ft. Hays State University with a degree in Education.
Marilyn was united in marriage to Harry W. Barrett on January 10, 1953 in Clayton, New Mexico. This union was blessed with five children; Terry, Kent, Sandee, Richard and Max. Later in life they divorced. Harry preceded her in death in October, 1994.
Marilyn was a devoted School Teacher. She taught in Copeland, Kansas, Cedar Point, Kansas, Turon, Kansas, Paradise, Kansas from 1967 to 1973, Winona, Kansas from 1974 to 1984, and Natoma, Kansas from 1985 till retirement. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After retirement, she was a board member of the Natoma School Board. She also was a member of the Paradise City Council for over 20 years.. In her spare time she enjoyed sewing, doing crafts especially ceramics, learning family history, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Marilyn’s surviving family include two daughters, Terry Allen (David) of Manhattan, Kansas and Sandee Bates (Douglas) of Sparta, Tennessee; three sons, Kent Barrett (Karen) of Pratt, Kansas, Richard Barrett (Koleen) of Colby, Kansas and Max Barrett of Pratt, Kansas; brother, K. Ronald Somers (Nancy) of Idaho; two sisters, Joyce Anne Barnes of Warrensburg, Missouri and Monice Laray Somers of Russell, Kansas; 16 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Lola Jeanne Heath.
A Graveside service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Thursday, May 14, 2020 at the Mt. Hermon Cemetery in Paradise, Kansas. No Visitation being held. A Memorial has been established with the Waldo Senior Center. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.
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