Barbara Lahs

Barbara Lahs

May 21, 1951 – July 26, 2024

As an avid quilter, Barbara spent many years of her life taking pieces and patching them together to make an entire quilt. This too is how we can look at her life, through the many patches of things that made Barbara who she was.

The first patch, her marriage to Gerhardt. The were married in 1971, and celebrated 52 years of marriage before Barbara’s passing. They had one child, Adrian, and spent many years building a home and life in Omaha.

The second patch, her son Adrian. Barbara was a devoted mother, who loved her son deeply and was there for him through every stage of his life. They went on trips together, they biked together, she even learned judo with him so he could learn it as well. When Adrian met Mandy, Barbara accepted her with open arms, along with her two children and together we all made a family.

The next piece of patchwork was her love of being a caregiver to Atlas and Stellan. After retiring, she began to nanny Atlas, and spent many days playing in the dirt with him, taking him swimming and going on adventures together. Once Atlas became a big brother, she then started including little brother Stellan in their play time and outings. She loved those boys like they were her own family.

The next patch on the quilt, her love of her family. She was strong and helped take care of her sisters and brothers when they needed her. Whether it was after surgery or injury, or if they could just use a hand, Barbara would be there. She loved big and was always generous in any way she could be for her family members.

Adding to the quilt very aptly, are her friends, many of which quite literally did quilt with her. One of Barb’s greatest joys were her quilting retreats and her trips to go to quilt shops. She would laugh and smile as she recalled all the time she spent with her friends, and the things they did together. She loved being social, and loved spending time with people with whom she could do her hobbies.

Golfing was another patch in the quilt. Barbara learned how to golf when Adrian was young so he would be able to get on the course to golf himself. She ended up enjoying it enough that in her retirement years, she went to golf courses all over Omaha on days she wasn’t nannying the boys.

God adds another patch in the quilt of her life. Barbara loved going to church and would help make baptismal shawls for the babies being baptized into the church. She told us many times that she knew Heaven existed and we are sure she is there now seated with the family and friends that went before her.

The final patch, Barbara became passionate in her final year of life about educating people about stem cell research. Her cancer required a stem cell transplant in order to have any chance of a cure. In this realization, with no family eligible, she had to rely on the kindness of a stranger to donate stem cells to her.

With this, as we celebrate the quilt of Barbara’s life that she created and cared for in 73 years on Earth, we ask that in lieu of flowers, you can donate of yourself or financially to bethematch.org, to see if you too can donate stem cells or help further the cause in education and research of stem cell donation.

VISITATION: Thursday, August 1 from 5:00-7:00PM at West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL:  Friday, August 2, 1:00PM at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 4804 Grover Street, Omaha.

PRIVATE INTERMENT

 

10 Comments

  • Linda Bruning Posted July 29, 2024 4:39 pm

    Deepest sympathies. I was blessed to call her a friend. Getting to know her on quilt retreats was a great blessing. Thank you for sharing her with me.

  • Waynetta Lahs Posted July 29, 2024 6:19 pm

    Sorry for your Loss♥️

  • Robert Malchow Posted July 30, 2024 9:42 am

    So sorry for your loss Gary. Barbara was a wonderful person, beautiful person. She will be missed by all who knew her.

  • Sandy & Karl Wittorf Posted July 30, 2024 1:02 pm

    My thoughts and prayers to Gary and the family.

  • Joe Barry Posted July 30, 2024 2:00 pm

    Gary, Please accept My Sincere Condolences and heartfelt sympathy for Your Family and Your loss🙏🙏🙏✝️✝️

  • Bobbi Lahs Brown Posted July 30, 2024 7:28 pm

    My memories of Aunt Barb are full of kindness and always her sweet smile and open arms. I wish I would have spent more time with her. So sorry Uncle Gerhardt and Adrian my thoughts and prayers have been for you both ! Love always

  • Eryn Swan Posted August 1, 2024 1:00 pm

    We are so sorry we have to miss the services. Barb was the most amazing person. We were so lucky to have her care for our children and call her a friend. She was kind, thoughtful, hardworking and compassionate. We’ll all miss her so much. Sending our love and sympathies today.

    -The Swan Family

  • Mary Jo Kopiasz Posted August 1, 2024 2:01 pm

    Sorry to hear of your loss. Barb was a great person. I worked with her many years at Douglas County and also got to know her as a hairdresser. She even did my Mom’s hair once, before she passed away. She will be missed by many.

  • Beth Welch Posted August 7, 2024 6:47 pm

    My sincere condolences to Adrian and family, your mom was a an incredible soul who touched so many lives. She was a faithful servant of God, an amazing artist and good friend. I am blessed to have shared her path. Peace.

  • Jaimee Beister Posted September 11, 2024 7:09 pm

    My condolences to the family. I was Barbs Optician. And loved when she came in and wanted something fun. She told me of her transplant and was very hopeful the last time I seen her. I since left my position in January. And found out about her passing a few days ago. She will be missed. RIP Barb ❤️

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