December 27, 2023

Linn County News

Published December 27, 2023

Barbara Lee Burch Wade, age 95, Overland Park, Kansas formerly of La Cygne, Kansas passed away on Monday, December 25, 2023. She was born in Butler, Missouri on April 1, 1928, the daughter of Carl and Lela Mae Rains Burch. She graduated from Butler High School in the Class of 1946. Barbara was united in marriage to Ivan M. Wade on February 15, 1948, and together they spent 72 years devoted to each other. 

Together they built a life they loved. It was filled with work, parties, travel and many adventures. A life that centered around the business they started, Wade Quarries in 1958 to 2017. Marking almost 60 years of business and three generations of working with the quarry operations. Barbara will always be remembered as the BOSS. Her motto, work 24/7. She loved the outdoors and when not at the quarry you could find her tending to the cattle, the car wash or at home taking care of the pool. She enjoyed hosting parties, everything from bridge parties, pool parties, customer and friend pig roasts, and birthday parties for her grandchildren which she made extra special.  They traveled abroad, coast to coast and loved traveling in their motor coach with family and friends. They spent winters in Palm Springs and a few winters in Texas. Barbara was a member of the La Cygne Christian Church, Les Fumes, Red Hats and the Traveling Grannies. 

Ivan preceded her in death on October 21, 2020. She was also preceded in death by two sons, Mark Ivan Wade on October 11, 1959, Ron Dean Wade on August 18, 2021, her parents, two sisters, Elizabeth Burch Fisher, Ladine Burch Smith, and brother, Robert Burch. Barbara is survived by two daughters, Gwen Gooding (Craig), and Carolyn Schomaker, five grandchildren, Chad Gooding (Amanda), Jonathan Amborn (Megan), Courtney Henderson, Ashleigh Lollar (Chris), Jacob Wade (Hunter), eight great grandchildren, Caden and Carter Gooding, Berkeley and Carson Henderson, Miles and Jude Lollar, John and Josie Amborn, step grandsons, Ryan Schomaker (Marsha), Ronnie Schomaker (Jamie), nine step great grandchildren, Jasmine, Wes (Sheridan), Rock, Steel, Cannon, Daisy, Stone, Ella and Case Schomaker, brother Leland Burch, two sister in-laws, Janet Burch and Jane Wade, brother in-law Roy Wade and a loving extended family. 

Funeral service will be held 1 pm Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at the Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory, La Cygne Chapel. Visitation will be held from 12 p.m. to service time. Barbara will lie in state from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, January 1, 2024 at the La Cygne Chapel. Memorial contributions are suggested to La Cygne Christian Church or Ascend Hospice, c/o Schneider Funeral Home, P.O. Box 304, La Cygne, Kansas 660410. Online condolences can be left at www.schneiderfunerals.com.