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Barbara Frances Rihanek McGuire, age 82, passed away Friday, July 1, 2020, in Blair. She was born on April 4, 1940.

She is survived by two sisters, Ruth Novak and Amy Hammock; two children, Ruth Varner and John; and nine grandchildren: Noah, Sarah, Hannah, Esther, Daniel, Timothy, Sofia, Otillie, and Edith Bee Clare.

She was preceded in death by her husband Alvin and oldest son Mark.

Services will be held Friday, July 8 at Spirit Life Church, 4815 Harrison Street, Omaha, NE 68157, at 11 a.m., visitation will be held prior to services, beginning at 10 a.m. at the church. Memorials can be made to World Missions Spirit Life Church.

Campbell Aman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

#2 Funeral leaflet

Barbara McGuire passed away on July 1, 2022, at Crowell Memorial Home in Blair, Nebraska, after a long battle with bone cancer. She fought hard, never lost hope, and never complained. Although she often dealt with intense pain, she always took the time to thank her visitors and caregivers.

She was born Barbara Frances Rihanek on April 4, 1940 to James and Stella Rihanek of Pender, Nebraska. She was the youngest of eleven children. She sang with her family at church and revivals, learned to play the accordion, and began a lifelong love of music. She enjoyed singing at church in choirs and special music solos--often using the 30-minute drive to church for last-minute practice.

After graduating from high school, she attended Nebraska State Teacher's College in Wayne, Nebraska and earned her degree in elementary education.

Barbara was married to Alvin McGuire on July 26, 1963. They began their lives together in Omaha while she taught school in Fremont, Nebraska. Later they moved to their farm near Blair, Nebraska, where they raised Charolais cattle. Together they had three children: Mark, Ruth and John. She was devoted to and extremely proud of each of them. She enjoyed spending time with them and, when she was no longer able to travel, would spend hours watching pictures of them and her nine grandchildren on her "Rolodex" (digital picture frame).

Always one to lend a helping hand, she participated, served, and led many church and community organizations, including Washington County Extension Club, 4-H Clubs, Monday Afternoon Club, Hospital Rummage Sale, Washington County Recycling Center, and weekly Bible studies. She also enjoyed making Christmas wreaths at their next-door neighbor's tree farm, Santa's Woods, every Christmas for many years.

Barbara is survived by two sisters, Ruth Novak of Cottonwood, AZ, and Amy Hannock of Omaha, NE; daughter Ruth (and Greg) Varner of Dayton, OH; son, John (and Jennifer) of Savannah, GA; daughter-in-law Kim; grandchildren, Sarah, Hannah, Esther, Daniel and Timothy Varner; Noah McGuire; and Sofia, Otillie Grace and Edith Bee Clair McGuire. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Alvin and eldest son Mark.

Memorials can be made to World Missions % Spirit Life Church.

~~~Obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file at the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

FindaGrave # 229231711