Barbara Jean Pritz

Barbara J. Pritz, 92, passed away peacefully March 12, 2024 at her home in Edencrest at Green Meadows assisted living facility in Johnston, Iowa where she had lived since December 2018.

Barb was born January 28, 1932 in Blue Rapids, KS to David Daniel and Mary May (Miller) Mall.  She was the second born of four children.

Barbara married Don Pritz March 11, 1951.  They planned to honeymoon in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but spent the first night in Topeka due to a blizzard that day. They returned to Blue Rapids to live, moved to Lawrence and then later made their home and started a family in Topeka.

Barbara was a devoted wife, mother and friend. She enjoyed staying home with the kids in their early years before returning to work.  Barb held various administrative assistant positions during her career, including working for the State Highway Commission, Federal Land Bank and People’s State Bank.  She enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, canning, arts & crafts, cross stitch, crocheting, sewing, singing, entertaining and playing with her grandchildren.  Don and Barb hosted many parties where friends would bring musical instruments and play.  She had a special passion for piecing together large puzzles, doing word games and sudoku.

Barbara and Don modeled a life of faith in and love for God along with serving and caring for others.  They participated in many community service projects through the years, with their kids participating alongside them when appropriate.  Barb was a member of Beta Sigma Phi and was very active in civic events and other causes supported by the sorority.  Many lifetime friendships were forged for Don and Barbara through Beta Sigma Phi.

Barb and Don enjoyed spending time at their lake house, gathering with friends and family.  Barb loved to travel.  She and Don traveled throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, and Europe.  They enjoyed taking bus tours with other seniors. Barb would always document the trips with pictures and notes about the trip.

Our family would like to thank the wonderful employees at Edencrest at Green Meadows in Johnston for taking care of Barbara as if she were one of their own family.  We are also grateful to the devoted staff at Care Initiatives Hospice who cared for Barbara with such love and compassion when hospice care became a part of her life.

Barbara is survived by her daughter Pam Carter (Dwayne); son Rick Pritz (Lesa); grandchildren Jennifer Griffith (Rob); Adam Klein (Michelle); Ashley Pritz and Joshua Pritz; step grandchildren Justin Carter; Nick Carter (Janae); great-grandchild Chloe Klein; step great-grandchild Matthew Carter; sisters Mary Ann Fincham and Judy Hartner and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Don, her parents and brother, Don Mall.

A graveside memorial service will be held May 4, 2024 in Topeka, Kansas at Mt. Hope Cemetary, Good Shepherd section, at 11:30, officiated by Pastor Dean Hughes.

Memorials in Barbara’s honor may be directed to Care Initiatives Hospice; 7055 Vista Drive; West Des Moines, IA 50266.

The family is also working with Highmark Senior Living to set up a scholarship fund which would assist the Resident Assistants at Highmark Properties (Edencrest) in getting their CNA’s.  Barbara lived in a Highmark property.  If you would like to donate to the scholarship fund, please e-mail CNAScholarshipFund@yahoo.com. You will be notified once the fund has been formally established with directions on how to donate.