Elizabeth R Barker

Elizabeth Barker peacefully went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, January 7, 2026. Elizabeth was born on November 25, 1927, in Knoxville, TN to Charles Thomas and Buena Lee (Donaldson) Reed. She was the oldest of three children. She attended Lonsdale Elementary and Rule High School where she was a majorette in the band. Elizabeth married her high school sweetheart, William Cecil Barker on January 18, 1943. Two children were born to this union, Charles Edward and Patricia Louise. The family moved to Grand Island, NE in 1956.

Elizabeth joined Andrew Chapter #41 of the Order of Easter Star in 1975 and for the next 50 years was very involved in the benevolent work of the chapter. She was honored to be elected Worthy Matron three times, and was a member of Past Matrons Club, and served in other officer stations multiple times over the years. Elizabeth promoted many money-making projects for Andrew Chapter. In 2019 at Grand Chapter, she was awarded The Legacy of Service Helping Hands Award by the NE Grand Chapter for her exemplary and unselfish service to her chapter, the grand chapter and her community. She became a 50-year member in December 2025. She was happy and pleased that she was a 50-year member. Elizabeth was also a member of Naamah Temple #108 Daughter’s of the Nile Hastings, NE.

She enjoyed having pizza parties with her great grandchildren who lived close by. Her hobbies were golfing, reading and crossword puzzles.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents; infant brother, Edward; sister, Dorothy; husband, Cecil; son, Ed; grandson, Scott; step-grandson, Martin; and step-granddaughter, Emily.

Those left to celebrate her life: daughter, Pat (Virgil) Gosch of McCook, NE; daughter-in-law, Robin Barker of Apache Junction, AZ; grandchildren: Mariah (Jerry) Bishop of McCook, NE, Sonya (Tom) Townsley, Sandy (Rick) Collins, Stan (Nancy) Barker all of Grand Island, NE, Susan (John Silvester) Schade of Hastings, NE; step-granddaughter, Trish (James) Hogland and step-grandson, Alan (Tiffany) Barwick of Apache Junction, AZ. Great grandchildren: Emily, Andrea, Alisha, Jordan, Jared, Jenna, Matthew, and Lizzy; step-great grandchildren: Shandi, Larissa, Meghan, Richie, Bryce, Trey, Alan Jr., Jarick and Aleya; and great-great grandchildren: Octayvia, Zoey, Jax, Willow, Aspen, John, Merrick, Tallulah, Fiona, Axle, Archer, Hayden, Alayna, (and coming soon) Kinsley Jo.

Memorials are suggested to the family and will be forwarded to The Masonic-Eastern Star Children’s Home in Fremont, NE, which was very dear to Elizabeth’s heart. She was the OES representative for four years.

A Funeral Service will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island with Pastor Bill Pavuk officiating. There will be a service presented by Andrew Chapter #41 Order of Eastern Star. Burial will follow in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.apfelfuneralhome.com.