Barbara Jean Flach

Barbara Jean (Shields) Flach, 92, of Paxico, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Heritage Home in Alma surrounded by her family. Barbara was born on January 5, 1933, in rural Havensville, KS on the family farm to Ed and Anna Gunther Shields. She attended schools at Coal Creek and Corning, KS and graduated from Corning High School in 1950. Barbara worked at Merchant’s National Bank in Topeka from 1950 -1952.

Barbara married Robert Paul Flach on May 27, 1952, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in the Coal Creek community in Nemaha County. Barbara was a homemaker and farm wife. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church at Paxico, serving on the parish council. She was a member of the Sacred Heart Altar Sodality, serving as president and holding all other offices. Barbara was also a religion teacher for the parish. Barbara was organist at St. Patrick's, Coal Creek, and also played the organ at Sacred Heart. Barbara was a project leader for Newbury 4-H Club. Barbara was employed by Rezac Livestock Commission Co for 32 years.

Barbara and her husband, Robert, farmed and maintained a cow-calf operation for many years north of Paxico. Barbara and Robert shared the same birth date.

Barbara is survived by a daughter, Jean (Greg) Riley, Overland Park, KS, and four sons: Ken (Theresa), Steve (Pamela), Jerry (Ginger), and Jeff (Shannan), all of Paxico. She is also survived by a sister, Marilyn McMillin, Leawood, KS, 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 7 step grandchildren and 15 step great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Flach, a son, Michael Flach, a grandson, Darrin Flach, a granddaughter, Jackie Flach, and three brothers, Edward, Laverne, and Jim Shields.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 2 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm with a rosary following at 7:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newbury, KS. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 3, also at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Sacred Heart Church or to the Sacred Heart Altar Sodality and may be left in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, KS 66536.