Barbara Ann Bateman
Barbara Ann Bateman was born on April 13, 1938, in Pittsburg, Kansas, and passed away, surrounded by family and prayers, on April 8, 2023. She was the daughter of Pete and Zina Monsour, the fifth of their eight children. Barbara's deep faith was an integral part of her life and was apparent to all who knew and loved her.
Barbara graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1956. She was proud to have been selected as a varsity cheerleader all four years. She graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1960 and went on to earn her Master's degree in 1965. While a senior, she was named to "Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities." She met her future husband, Kenneth K. Bateman, while they were both working at JCPenney. On December 26, 1961, Barbara married Ken at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
Barbara began her professional career as an English teacher at Parsons High School in 1960-62. She later taught at Pittsburg Middle School (formerly Roosevelt Junior High) in 1963-64 and Pittsburg High School in 1965-66. Barbara founded the debate program at St. Mary's-Colgan High School. She was admired, respected, and loved by many of her students. She enjoyed being a member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Altar Society, the Mount Carmel Pink Ladies, and PEO Chapter CJ. Barbara also worked at the family business, Monsour's, and ended her career at Pitsco.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Ken; her daughters, Kebra Rios (Louis) of Kansas City, MO, and Tess Patterson (Brock) of Broken Arrow, OK; and three grandchildren, Louis Andrew Rios, Stella Grace Patterson, and Ruby Alice Rios. Barbara was extremely proud of all her children and her grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Joyce Sanko and Victoria Monsour, by her brother, Ted Monsour, and her sister-in-law Erma Beeson of McKinney, TX. Barbara is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her son, R. Shaun, her parents, and her siblings, Hazel Peak, Joe, Richard, and Pete Monsour Jr.
The parish rosary will be recited at 6:30 pm on Friday, April 21, 2023, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, followed by visitation. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church with Father Jerome Spexarth as celebrant. A private family interment will occur at a later date. Following Mass, the Bateman family invites you to lunch at the St. Mary's-Colgan Fieldhouse.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Lourdes or to the Barbara Bateman Scholarship at Pittsburg State University. Condolences may be left at www.bathnaylor.com. Services will be live-streamed on Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church YouTube channel or at bathnaylor.com.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home, Pittsburg, KS.
