God blessed Barryann Marie Martens and called her home to Heaven October 5, 2021, to be with Jesus and await the resurrection of the dead.
Barryann was born in Canton, Okla., March 28, 1937, to her father, Thomas Loren Phelps, and mother, Rosa May (Kimball) Phelps. Barryann attended several schools as her father worked for U.S. Gypsum plants in Oklahoma, Utah, and Iowa. She graduated from Fort Dodge, Iowa, high school and attended the Community College for two years.
Barryann married Larry Loots in Fort Dodge and they moved to Kansas City, Mo. She had two sons, Timothy Loots and Thomas Loots, and later separated from Larry.
Barryann married Dennis Martens June 10, 1972, in the Lord Of Love Lutheran Church, Belton, Mo., and they moved to a farm near Stet in the north east area of Ray County, Mo. Dennis had three children and the couple treated all five children as if they were born to their marriage. They actively farmed for 25 years maturing the children, planting crops, and raising hogs and cattle. While farming, Barryann and Dennis continued to maintain professional careers that had them commuting together to Kansas City. Later, in 1996, they moved to Lawson, Mo., and continued commuting to Kansas City until they each retired.
The couple are members of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior Springs, Mo., where Barryann was active in many church activities. Through the years Barryann enjoyed traveling, either joining Dennis as he made business trips, or as the couple vacationed. Their travels took them to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii, and three Canadian provinces. Regrettably, Barryann had yet to visit one state of particular interest, Alaska.
Barryann’s professional career included stops at various companies in Kansas City before arriving at Butler Buildings where she was a valued Customer Service Representative. She retired from Butler after three decades of service.
Barryann was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.
She is survived by her husband, Dennis Martens; two brothers, Marquis Phelps of Grove, Okla., and Ronald Phelps of Webster City, Iowa; five children, Timothy Loots of Kansas City, Mo., Thomas Loots of Kansas City, Kans., Kim Martens of Pella, Iowa, Kathy (Martens) Fields of Washington, Iowa, and Mike Martens of Leewood, Kans.; 10 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.
Barryann loved her children and kept the family foremost in her life. She will be greatly missed, and she will be remembered by all as a loving and kind person.
A visitation will be held from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior Springs, Mo., with a service to follow at 10:00 a.m. A graveside service will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery in Excelsior Springs, Mo.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the LWML at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church.
Arrangements in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.
Our Sincere Condolences
We would like to give our condolences to Dennis and the family. We would like to say how sorry Chuck and I are about Barry. Barry was a very good client of the Loretta’s Curlette for many years. I ejoyed when she came in it was like sunshine. I m sure she will be missed.
May God give you all strength, Chuck and Loretta.
Sincere Condolences to you and the family on the loss of Barryann. She is in peace now.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Alan Mosher
Dennis, I was saddened to learn of Barryann’s passing. May God be with you!
Lonnie
Please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of Barry. These must be extremely difficult times for you and your family but know that we are thinking of you and are here for you, if we can help in any way.
Once again, our sincere condolences.
Frank & Susan Pacinelli
Our condolences to you and your family Denny.
Chris Brzon
Denny – Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this difficult time. We will cherish the memories of the times all four of us spent together over the years. We’re thankful that her suffering is over, but know that there’s a big hole in your heart that she filled for so long. We will be there on Saturday.
Mike and Meredith Porter
Dennis, We are so very sorry for the loss of your wife, Barryann. May God be with you and your family during these difficult days.
Frank K Piburn
Denny,
I am sorry to hear of Barryann’s passing. I hope you can find comfort in all the years of wonderful memories.
Sincerely,
Micky Clifford
Dennis, I am so sorry for the loss of Barryann. My condolences to you and to your family. May her memory be a blessing.
Tom Khadavi
Denny, my sincerest condolences to you and your family.
Alan Schroeder
Dennis,
We are truly sorry to hear about your loss of Barryann. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Sheldon & Beth Wood
Dennis,
So sad to hear of your loss in Barryann’s passing. I didn’t know her well, but she was one of those unique people who lit up the room when she walked in. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this sad time.
Our condolences,
Al & Pam Rettenmaier
Denny
We go back a long way. You are a friend and a mentor. I am saddened to hear of the passing of Barryann. My prayers are with you and family.
Rich
Denny,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your wife. May our Lord keep you and your family tightly wrapped in His loving arms at this time.
Craig Elwell
Dennis, so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time.
Mark and Jane Tettambel
Denny,
We were very sorry to learn of the passing of your beloved Barry. May our thoughts and prayers be with you and your family during this difficult time.
Alan and Illa Kamp
I stood watching as the little ship sailed out to sea. The setting sun tinted her white sails with a golden light and as she disappeared from sight a voice at my side whispered “she is gone” on the farther shore a little band of friends had gathered to watch and wait in happy expectation.
Suddenly they caught sight of a tiny sail and the very moment when my companion had whispered “she is gone” a glad shout went up in joyous welcome “Here she comes!”
This poem has always brought us solace during times of great loss – sincere condolences.
Tim Loots and family from the Woosley’s
