Barbara Jean James

Barbara J. James, 68, of Humboldt, NE passed away Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Bryan Medical Center West Campus, Lincoln, NE following a short illness.

There will be a Celebration of her Life on Sunday, November 3, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. at the Lied Lodge, Nebraska City, NE. The family will be available for greeting at 1:00 p.m. A private family inurnment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, Albion, NE.

In leiu of flowers, memorials are suggested the family for later designation.

Barbara Jean James, daughter of Lyle Byrne and Nellie Ellen (Brown) Sallach was born on June 1, 1951 in Columbus, NE.  She attended school at a rural Boone County country school until the 3 ^rd grade, when the family moved to Albion.  Barbara graduated from Albion High School in 1969.  She went on to attend college at the University of Nebraska.  Following her second year of college Barbara was united in marriage to John James on July 10, 1971 at the United Methodist Church in Albion, NE.  The couple lived in Lincoln for the next two years while they finished their college years.  Barbara received a Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Special Education.

Following college, the couple started their careers as teachers at the Omaha Indian Reservation Macy Public School until 1976.  They then moved to the Ravenna Public School District until 1979, when they moved to Humboldt, NE.  Barbara taught at Humboldt Public School until taking 6 years off to raise their three daughters.  She then taught one more year in Humboldt, for a total of 16 years. Barbara then taught for a short time at the consolidated Dawson-Verdon Public School, before transferring to Mid-Buchanan Public School in St. Joseph, MO, where her husband was superintendent.  Barbara taught special education along with kindergarten, 1 ^st , 2 ^nd , and 4 ^th grades, with 2 ^nd being her favorite.  At her last school she taught pre-school.  The couple had retired two years ago and spent time helping their daughters, traveling, and spending time at their lake house at Louis and Clark Reservoir in Yankton, SD.  The couple was married for 48 years, but had become soul mates when they met in the 8 ^th grade.

Barbara was a member of the United Methodist Church at Humboldt, NE.  She was also a member of the Eastern Star and the International Order of Rainbow for Girls.  Barbara was a gifted musician. She played the piano and baritone, along with singing in the church choir and occasionally for weddings.  She was also a seamstress and loved to sew.  Barbara's biggest attribute was her love for children, she had a special place in her heart for all children, but when she had grandchildren that love grew tenfold and her family expressed that she was the best grandmother in the world.

Barbara is survived by her husband John of Humboldt, NE; three daughters: Kirsten (Eric) McMann of Bennet, NE; Jessica (Matthew) Steinblock of Bennet, NE; and Rebecca (Steven) Miljavac of Gig Harbor, WA; seven grandchildren: Kailyn and Carter McMann, Cameron, Noah, and Ava Steinblock, Stella and Amadeus Miljavac; sister Peigi (Louis) Mitzner of Lincoln, NE; brother David (Harriet) Sallach of Evanston, IL; brother-in-law Dr. David (Marlynne) James of Steamboat Springs, CO; several nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and all of her students.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her In-laws Robert M. James, Jr., and Mary Jane James, and niece Michala Belgum