Kerri Barent

Kerri Jo (Eichner) Barent

In Mom’s true fashion, this was written under the light of the moon!

Kerri Jo Barent, 65, passed away unexpectedly in Amarillo, Texas. Kerri was born June 19, 1960 in Ogallala, Nebraska to Lavern and Connie Eichner. Older brother, Kim welcomed her home.

Kerri grew up in Ogallala, graduating from high school in 1978. She married her high school sweetheart, Dean Barent in Ogallala on April 8, 1978. They went on to have two wonderful sons together. Kerri took pride in being a mother and her sons meant the world to her.

Kerri and Dean both earned degrees from Chadron State College in 1984. Her Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art would later lead her into a 29-year long career in education.

After some time in Ogallala, and a short-term stint in Idaho, the family moved to Worland, Wyoming in 1991, Dean had been hired as a teacher and wrestling coach. Shortly after Kerri pursued her career in education, starting as an aid in the agriculture department. With hard work and dedication Kerri, transitioned to teaching art at the Worland Middle School. Kerri enjoyed challenging her students, encouraging them to always express their feelings through art. Kerri loved teaching and supporting everyone around her in their art endeavors.

Kerri was beyond excited in 2009 to start her Grandma Era. Kerri and Dean spent many, many summers taking their grandkids anywhere and everywhere. They taught all the kids to rope, ride, brand and everything in between. Anyone who knew Kerri knew her family was her world. She would travel across country to be with any of them, whether it was in the arena, on the mat, in the gym, or at the field, she was there supporting and filming those special moments.

She was preceded in death by her only nephew, Jeremy Lavern Eichner. Survivors include her beloved husband of 47 years, Dean Lee Barent; sons, Cody Lee (Tonya) Barent of Billings, Montana and Justin Dean (Kelli) Barent of Thornton, Colorado; grandchildren: Korbyn, Braxton, Emersyn, Riverlyn, Bentley, and Hayden; parents: Lavern and Connie (Hansmeier) Eichner; brother, Kim (Maria) Eichner and their children, Leslie (Joel) List, Jayme Eichner and Sara (Justin) Fahringer.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Monday, June 30, 2025 at the Worland Middle School Auditorium. Visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to services. Burial will take place in Ogallala, Nebraska on July 2 at Ogallala Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Kerri Barent Scholarship Fund and sent to PO Box 524, Worland, WY 82401. Online condolences may be made at www.bryantfuneralhomeonline.com.