Barbara Ruth (Peterson) Mock, 85, Topeka, Kansas, passed away Friday, October 18, 2019, in Lawrence, Kansas. She was born in Salina, Kansas, on June 14, 1934, daughter of Merlin L. and M. Pauline (Komarek) Peterson. She lived in Saline County until 1944, when the family moved to a farm near Little River in Rice County, Kansas, where she completed elementary school. She graduated from Little River High School in 1952. She entered nurses' training at Grace Hospital of Nursing in Hutchinson, Kansas, and received her RN in 1955. She was married to Lyle H. Mock in Hutchinson, Kansas, on May 26, 1956.

Barbara and Lyle were delighted to welcome their daughter, Rebecca L., who was born to them a few years later in Hutchinson.

Barbara worked most of her nursing career at Grace Hospital (later Hutchinson Hospital) until she moved from Hutchinson many years later.

Barbara was heartbroken at the sudden death of her beloved Lyle on October 29, 1988. In 1991, she moved to Topeka to be near her daughter and family in Topeka, Kansas, where she rejoiced in watching her grandchildren grow to adulthood, the marriage of her granddaughter and later the birth of her great-grandson.

Some of her time in the early years in Topeka she used her nursing skills at an outpatient medical facility where she worked until her retirement. After her retirement, she was active in her church, volunteering in its various ministries, and did volunteer work for the public library and Kansas Historical Museum. Barbara was a member of First Christian Church in Hutchinson and Westside Christian Church in Topeka.

Barbara and her family enjoyed spending time with friends and family, and weekends and vacations were often spent fishing, boating, and water skiing on lakes near and far. Barbara also enjoyed reading and attending concerts and other cultural events. She had a good eye for color and design and liked working with her hands. Barbara often had some kind of "crafty project" that piqued her interest. She loved to travel and in retirement years took several meaningful trips to Europe, Alaska and Canada with siblings and friends, as well as other less lengthy adventures.

Barbara was preceded in death by: her parents; her beloved husband, Lyle; and her brother, Paul Peterson. She is survived by: her daughter, Rebecca L. Blick of Topeka; granddaughter, Lindsay Orion of Lawrence, Kansas; grandson, Andrew Blick of Topeka; and great-grandson, Finnley Hamm of Lawrence. Also surviving are: sister, Dorothy Sitts of McPherson, Kansas;
sister-in-law, Meredith Peterson Davis of Little River, Kansas; and other relatives and friends.

Barbara passed peacefully October 18, 2019 at Pioneer Ridge Health and Rehab in Lawrence, Kansas. Her last days were made more comfortable through the support of family and Midland Care Hospice.

Visitation will be 1-2 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka, KS 66614, followed by funeral service at 2 p.m. Graveside service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 23. 2019, at Memorial Park Cemetery Hutchinson, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Topeka Public Library or Westside Christian Church, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS  67501.