Barnes, Verda M. 1942-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.
June 17, 2025, Verda was called home by her Heavenly Father following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Verda was born Feb. 1, 1942, in Morrowville, Kansas, the second of four children, to Lawrence and Mildred (Niemann) Stigge. She was raised in Frankfort and later Washington, Kansas, where she graduated in 1960 as the Valedictorian of her high school class. She attended Emporia State University for one semester before returning home to help run the family department store after her father’s death.
Verda married Otho Anthony “Tony” Barnes Jr. on June 4, 1961, who survives the home. In 1964, they moved with their family to St. Joseph. She was a stay-at-home mother while her kids were in school. Later she worked together with Tony in various administrative positions in the businesses they owned and operated. She spent most of that time involved in their residential care facilities Bliss Manor, Oak Tree Manor, and Eastgate Manor. She was known for being a loving “mother figure,” making sure all residents received birthday and Christmas gifts and were treated with dignity and respect.
Verda was a lifelong Christian and was confirmed into the Lutheran Church in 1956. She was a longtime member of Saint Peter Lutheran Church, where she taught VBS, organized Christmas gifts and birthday cakes for boys at the Riverbend Treatment Center, and was active with LWML Grace Fellowship Circle, Quilters, and Homebuilders. She served as Secretary/Treasurer of Midland Empire Lutherans for Life.
Verda served as Treasurer of the Buchanan County Republican Committee and was honored with service awards including the Chairman’s Award and Ronald Reagan Award. She was honored with the Outstanding Service Award by the Northwest Missouri Republican Club for her dedicated efforts. Verda was a Missouri Republican Party Delegate in 2016.
Verda and her husband were recognized as “20 Who Count” in 1999 for their land donation to River Bluffs Library. They were also recognized by the Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in 2012 for their generosity to victims of domestic violence through the donation of Bliss Manor to the YWCA for transitional housing. Verda was also a past president of St. Joseph Junior League.
Verda was preceded in death by her parents and older brother, Merlin Stigge.
She is survived by her brothers, Vernon (Cathy) Stigge and Larry Stigge. Verda was also survived by four children, Kathy (Ricardo) Patron, Michael (Karen) Barnes, Brenda Barnes Wickham, Debra (Brian) Hopkins; 24 grandchildren, Mika Patron, Nathan (Shelby) Patron, Matthew Patron, Neal Patron, Sarah (Leighton) DeGarmo, Austin (Abigail) Barnes, Isaac Barnes, Kimberly (Brenton) Rice, Lancer (Desiree) Barnes, Arturo Barnes, Ericko Barnes, Joshua Barnes, Melvin Barnes, Gerard Barnes, Catherine Barnes, Christopher Barnes, Jenalyn Barnes, Grace Barnes, Lauren (Chad) Thomas, Lindsey (Peter) Phillips, Lia Wickham, Van Hopkins, Hailey Hopkins and Cole Hopkins; 11 great-grandchildren, Levi DeGarmo, Wyatt DeGarmo, Moses DeGarmo, Ezekiel Barnes, Otho Barnes III, Orlin Barnes, Josephine Barnes, Kennedy Thomas, Ford Thomas, William Phillips and Theodore Phillips; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 10 a.m. Saturday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will gather with friends 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.
