Barbara Ann (Bratton) Harkness, 68, Council Grove, passed away Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014 at her home.
Barbara was born April 27, 1946, in Topeka, KS, to Cle and Bernice (Williams) Bratton. She attended Washington School in Council Grove and graduated from Council Grove High School in 1964. She attended Kansas State University and graduated with an Elementary Education degree in 1968. She received her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Emporia State University in 1981. She married Darrell Harkness on November 29, 1968, in Council Grove.
Barbara started her teaching career at Dwight Elementary, teaching 6th grade, in 1968. She also taught at Garfield School and Washington School in Council Grove. She spent most of her 31-year teaching career in the learning resource room at Council Grove High School. Teaching these students was her passion, and she loved her students as if they were family. Barbara received the USD 417 Master Teacher award in 1995-96. She coached girls’ golf, quiz bowl, and sponsored National Honor Society at Council Grove High School.
Barbara was very active in community organizations. At Kansas State, she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority and a member of the K-Steppers twirling team that performed at KSU events. She was an active member of the following organizations in Council Grove: Delta Kappa Gamma, KNEA, Chapter “H” PEO, Score and Fore, Neota Club, Community Arts Council, CG Swim Club Board of Directors, CG Recreation Commission, and served in the mentoring program at Council Grove High School. The Barb Harkness Community Mentoring Award is given to a deserving high school student each year. She also belonged to the ESU Alumni Association.
Barbara was a very active member of the First Congregational Church in Council Grove. She served as the church clerk, Sunday School superintendent, member of the Religious Education and Diaconate committees, Sunday School teacher, and also gave the Children’s Story at church for many years.
Barbara was an avid golfer. She was three-time City Champion at Council Grove Country Club and girls’ golf coach for 14 years at CGHS. She led her teams to a 2nd place state finish, followed by two back-to-back State Championships from 1978-80. Barbara was named the KSHSAA Coach of the Year in 1980. She was also an active member of the Council Grove Country Club and the Ladies Golf Association. In the summers, Barbara spent several days a week teaching youth to enjoy the game of golf, as she single- handedly developed the Junior Golf program in Council Grove.
Barbara will be remembered as a devoted wife, a loving mother who followed her daughters to all of their activities, a proud grandmother who enjoyed special moments with each one of her grandchildren, a gifted teacher who made a true difference in the lives of her students, and a loyal friend who brightened the lives of all who knew her.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Darrell, of Council Grove; daughters: Tracy Watkins and husband Dave , of Burlington; Kelly Brakenhoff and husband Jeremy, of Lawrence; Christy Over and husband Dirk, of Burlington; brother Duke Bratton and wife Kay , of Council Grove; 13 grandchildren: Jace and Myka Watkins, Jeth, Naomi, Abel, Judah, Amos, Liberty, and Fisher Brakenhoff, and Bradley, Brian, Mallory, and Troy Over; mother-in-law, Mildred Harkness, of Council Grove; and niece Vicki Stone and husband John, of Council Grove. Honorary family members are Jim and Melaney Johnson, of Delavan.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Cle and Bernice Bratton; a brother, Robert Sam Bratton; her father-in-law, Milan Harkness; and a granddaughter, Ava Skye Brakenhoff.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Barbara Harkness Memorial Fund. They may be sent in care of Penwell-Gabel, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS 66846.