Obituary of Barbara Kay Sloan

Barbara Kay Sloan, 87, of Johnstown, passed away April 30, 2023 at McKee Medical Center in Loveland.  She was born March 29, 1936, in Boulder, CO to Everly Wolfer and Oneta Lucille (King) Austin where she grew up. Barbara spent her earliest years living on the golf course in Boulder her grandfather owned. Barbara never met a stranger, a trait she attributed to her early years on the golf course. Upon its sale, her family lived on farms in rural Boulder County.

Barb attended schools in Boulder County and graduated from Longmont High School in 1954.  She attended CU Boulder for one year.  She then moved to San Francisco and got a job with United Airlines in the reservation department.  She later transferred back to Colorado.  It was here that she met Donald and they later married on November 25, 1962 at Central Presbyterian Church in Longmont.

Barb became a farm wife and mother, raising four children; Sandi, Bill, Bridgette and Ruth as well as Don’s oldest daughter, Tammy.  She was active on the farm and in the community for many years.  After the farmhouse was sold in 1996, Barb and Don moved into town. A lifelong reader, Barb’s favorite job later in life was working at the Glenn A. Jones MD Memorial Library in Johnstown until she retired. 

She was very active in her children’s activities throughout the years. A few of the ways she served included being a room mother, Den mother for Cub Scouts, and president of Band Boosters. 

She was also an active member of Cheerful Learners Extension Club, Johnstown Historical Society, Library Board, Milliken Presbyterian Church, Cornerstone E-Free Church, Johnstown Senior Center, and the Red Hat Society through the years.  Upon retirement she actively volunteered with RSVP. She was honored for that service by being named to the Greeley/Weld Senior Hall of Fame Class of 2017.  

In 2017, Barbara moved to GracePointe Assisted Living and then to Meadowview Assisted Living in 2021. She continued to serve her community by serving on resident councils in both facilities.

Survivors include her children; Tammy (Jeff) Patrignani, Sandi (Darrel) Forslund, Bill (Tina) Sloan and Bridgette (Mark) Muse, her son-in-law, John Wilbanks, 7 grandsons and 6 granddaughters, 6 great-grandchildren, her brother, Chuck Austin, and her sister-in-law, Annabelle Cook. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her daughter, Ruth Wilbanks; a grandson, Lester Bledsoe; and her brother, Bill Austin. 

Barb’s Life Celebration will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 9, 2023 at the Milliken Presbyterian Church with a luncheon to follow.  Private family inurnment at the Johnstown Cemetery.  Memorial gifts may be made to “Glenn A Jones MD Memorial Library” or the “Milliken Presbyterian Food Pantry” in care of Adamson, 2000 47^th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634.  Condolences may be shared at AdamsonCares.com.