Gertrude Elizabeth Shideler Barker

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.

Mrs Barker was my private teacher for six years. In more recent years she had problems with her vision but because she was such an accomplished cellist, she had memorized most of the music and had no trouble helping me perfect pieces for various competitions. When Mrs. Barker stopped teaching because her vision had grown worse, I did not expect the loss of my weekly visits to affect me the way they ultimately did. I missed her and her home filled with antiques and figurines she had collected over the years. I missed looking at Mrs. Barkers picture books of her playing the cello as a young girl, and of the chairs she helped embroider for the governor’s mansion. I called Mrs. Barker three weeks ago to see if she wanted me and my friends to play her a private concert but she was not feeling well. I want to wish her friends and family my deepest sympathy for their loss of Mrs. Barker. She always talked about her sisters and her nieces and how they always found time to include her in their holiday celebrations. She also always talked about Mrs. Carroll and said she did not know what she would do with out her friendship. Mrs. Barker always chuckled that it took me a year before I warmed up enough to her to say a single word. But, I hope that she knows I will miss her very much, and appreciate having had the opportunity to have her as my teacher.

Gertrude Barker and I meet when we moved to the neirghborhood in the Fall of 1982. We became instant friends. She became my neighbor, my friend, my substitute mother, my confidant, and again, my teacher. For Gertrude Barker was first my junior high music teacher in the 60’s. Her class was held usptairs, in the back of the building, where wooden floors squeaked, the hall was dark and smelled of musk, and the classroom was small, almost cozy with huge windows. This environment seemed to accent her love for music and tradition. Later I would discover the same rich, warm, and kind envirnoment within her home. This shy girl from the Allison Jr. High neighborhood learned about music, heard recordings of classical music for the first time, dreamed of donkey rides and sunsets during the playing of the ‘Grand Canyon Suite’ all the while laughing at Mrs. Barker’s unique sense of humor. Gertrude Barker was the mother and grandmother of the block. She kept in touch with all of us; therefore, keeping us in touch with each other during our busy lives. Gertrude attended many a play for Ashley, game for Joe, and helped plan and attend birthday parties wearing the silly birthday hats along with the kids. At every holiday occasion there were carefully chosen decorations, which needed to be put out, so Ashley, Joe, Anne, Pat, Christy and others through the years would gather to assist. They knew the stories behind each item and each holiday. These events were penciled in between her amazing daily schedules, living life daily to its fullest, beginning at 7AM with her water aerobics class. As years went by we all saw less of each other……Ashley went off to school, Joe and Taylor mowed GB’s yard, keeping us in touch. Yes, Gertrude received an unofficial neck name: ‘GB’. Joe and Taylor would lovingly call Gertrude, GB and there would be GB sightings! GB would be helping in the yard, driving in the neighborhood, driving with her new large sunglasses, at the ‘little Dillon’s’, at the Symphony…..All the neighbors would watch for GB and watch out for GB, taking turns. GB and I would try to have monthly get togethers, spending the evening together to get caught up, share some wine, plan some trips together. John would find me missing and instantly realize ‘the girls’ were visiting. Gertrude shared so many times and events with me as I did with her. We walked together, planned our gardens toghter, took care of animals together, and shared our tips/adventures togehter: she, her annual trips to Colorado, New Mexico, and many bus trips. I, my, trip to New Mexico to photograph and my discovery of the Martin and Osa Johnson story and Museum. In many ways we shared her music and my love of adventure together. One of the most memorable being on an Easter Sunday moring in Lindsberg sharing the Messiah and that evening on top of Coronado Heights watching an amazing sunset over Kansas to then turn and discover a beautiful full moon. Gertrude shared stories of her family and friends, her love for her sisters and their families, her sorrow at the loss of her niece in Africa, and her growing friendship with her niece Sally. We planned a trip to Topeka, a trip to Chanute, many more trips to the garden shop, and piano lessons for me…….but life became too busy and began to pass by….. There always seemed time for one more visit, one more glass of wine, one more adventure together……tomorrow. We love you Gertrude (GB) and will miss you. I will feel your spirit with me always. A poem I shared with Gertrude: WHEN I AM DEATH By John G. Neihardt When I am dead, and nervous hands have thrust My body downward into careless dust; I think the grave cannot suffice to hold My spirit ‘prisoned in the sunless mould! Some subtle memory of you shall be A resurrection of the life of me. Yea, I shall be, because I love you so, The speechless spirit of all things that grow. You shall not touch a flower but it shall be Like a caress upon the cheek of me. I shall be patient in the common grass That I may feel your footfall when you pass. I shall be kind as rain and pure as dew, A loving spirit ’round the life of you. When your soft cheeks by odoruous winds are fanned, ‘T will be my kiss’and you must understand. But when some sultry, storm-bleared sun has set, I will be lightning if you dare forget! Carolyn Claxton-Earnest