Barbara (Peckham) Modeen

Barbara (Peckham) Modeen, 77, died peacefully at her Olathe, Kansas home on Sunday, January 8th. Barbara was born on March 26th, 1945, in Dodge City to Leonard and Lorraine Peckham. After moving from Dodge City to Salina when she was a toddler, Barbara’s parents and older brother Ray moved from Salina to Wichita when she was in the seventh grade. While in high school, Barbara was in a life-altering car accident that nearly claimed her life. Her doctors said she would never walk again or have children. Barbara proved them wrong on both counts. Although her road to recovery was long, Barbara went on to graduate from Wichita Southeast High School and begin her studies at Wichita State University. Barbara met Nels Modeen shortly after beginning her studies while dragging Douglas Street, one of their favorite pastimes as young adults. It did not take long before they fell in love. Nels and Barbara wed on June 11th, 1966, and had two children, Deanna and Michael. During the early years of their marriage, she worked at East Side National Bank, a job she loved. While married, the couple had many adventures, living in Ohio, Kansas City, Chicago, and Wichita. The couple also built a lake house at Sugar Valley Lake in Mound City for their retirement years, where Barbara was in charge of recreation at the community clubhouse. They remained happily married for fifty-four years until Nels’ death on December 10th, 2020. Barbara will be remembered for her fierce love of family, kind spirit, self-deprecating humor, and love of all things pink. She frequently said that being a mother and grandmother was the greatest honor of her life. Barbara’s greatest legacy is the love she showed her family. Barbara was always home after school to welcome her children, with a homecooked meal on the table each night. Barbara’s support of her children never faltered, and she remained their biggest advocate and closest friend until her final breath. Her grandchildren remember how she went out of her way to ensure that each of them felt special, appreciated, and supported. She left an indelible pink mark on all their hearts and lives. In addition to caring for her family, Barbara also loved gathering with her friends, particularly for a round of cards, bingo, Mahjong, or Bunco. She remembered her “Lunch Bunch”-a group of high school friends that met monthly for lunch-with a particular fondness. While Barbara’s family and friends miss her immensely, they find solace in knowing how happy she must be to be reunited with her beloved Nels, son Michael, and parents. Barbara is survived by her brother, Ray Peckham of Derby, KS; daughter, Deanna Modeen Bergeron (Tim) of Olathe, KS; grandson, Doug Bartel of Kansas City, MO; granddaughter, Kayla (Courtney) Bartel of Ottawa, KS; granddaughter, Kylee (Justin) Jenkins of East Lynn, MO; granddaughter, Chelsea Baird of Henrietta, TX; granddaughter, Karisa Bergeron of Shawnee, KS; niece, Jayne Triplett of Kingman, AZ; niece, Laurie Lo Nigro of Wichita, KS; great-niece, Brianna (Shaely) Triplett of Pueblo, Colorado; great-nephew, Jordan Triplett of Omaha, NE; great-niece, Nora Lo Nigro; and twelve great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held on January 18, 2023, from 4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on January 19, 2023, at Church of The Resurrection: 4910 N. Woodlawn St., Bel Aire, KS 67226.