Juliann R. Barger

Juliann Barger, age 59 of Paxton, passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at her home in Paxton.
Juliann was born December 31, 1954 at Sargent, Nebraska to Milford and Rae (Smith) Kamery. She attended Sargent High School until her junior year, and graduated from Trenton High School with the class of 1973. Juliann attended Kearney State College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English Education.
On August 6, 1983, Juliann married Jon Barger at Paxton. The couple made their home in Hastings before moving to Brule, where she took a job as an English teacher. A couple years later, the family moved to Paxton. Jon opened a bait and tackle shop and, after several years of commuting to teach in Brule, Juliann accepted a position as an English teacher as well as a speech & drama coach at Sutherland High School. Juliann was a lifelong learner, and she continued her formal education throughout her career as a teacher. She would eventually earn her Master’s degree in Educational Administration from UNK. In 2000, she took a position with the Educational Service Unit #16. She eventually became the Staff Development Director, which took her all over the state of Nebraska. Despite not working directly with students anymore, she never lost sight of the impact that she wanted to make toward the betterment of educating young people.
Juliann loved being outdoors, and her backyard was very much a sanctuary for her. She deeply enjoyed spending time in her garden, raising flowers and vegetables, or even just mowing the yard. She was an avid reader, and especially loved mystery novels and love stories.
Juliann’s children were the light of her life, and she was always there to support them throughout their lives and accomplishments. Juliann and Jon would often take their kids camping, and they made some of their most cherished memories in the simplicity of the time they spent together.
When she became a grandma her life took on new meaning, and she couldn’t be kept away from her grandchildren for long, even if it meant a 5-hour drive to visit every couple of weeks.
Juliann was a gifted crafter, and made things like wooden signs, quilts, jams and potpourri. She was always coming up with different crafts that could occupy her time, and her family would often receive some of her homemade gifts over the holidays. Juliann will be sorely missed by family, friends and the host of people she touched through her work as an educator.
Juliann is preceded in death by her parents and her sister-in-law, Rhonda Kamery.
Survivors include her husband, Jon Barger of Paxton; son- Zachary (Jennifer) Barger of Wichita, KS; daughter, Alexanne (Daniel) Wilkerson of Hershey; 3 grandchildren, Brylee, Kylie, Charlee; 2 brothers, Bill Kamery of Kearney, Mike Kamery of Trenton; 5 nephews, Chris Worley, Josh Worley, Bill Kamery, Jason Edwards-Kamery, Sean Kamery; 4 nieces, Kim Schow, Tony Duba, Becky Schaefer, Stephanie Ndugwa; and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial has been established in Juliann’s memory. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com.
Services will be held on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Ogallala with Rev. Chuck Rager officiating. Burial will be in the Paxton Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Friday, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Prairie Hills Funeral Home in Ogallala.
Arrangements have been made for Juliann’s services to be streamed via the Internet at 10 a.m. on Saturday, at methodistchurchogallala.com, for those unable to attend in person.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.