Barbara Katherine Reber

Barbara Katherine Reber, 86, of Goshen, died at her home Tuesday morning, January 31, 2012. She had been in failing health the past two years. She was born November 13, 1925 in Milford, Nebraska, to the late David Elmer and Elizabeth Emma (Rediger) Bender. She married Donald D. Reber June 16, 1946 in Milford. He survives. Also surviving are four daughters, Karen Sue Senft of Goshen, Beth Ann Reber Wenger of Harrisonburg, Virginia, Mary Kay (Dan) Hostetler of Rochester, Minnesota and Carol Jean (Larry) Brundege of Moneta, Virginia; a son, Jon (Kimberly) Reber of Columbia, New Jersey; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a brother, Merle Bender of Hesston, Kansas. She was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Bender and a brother, Merton Bender. A 1942 graduate of Milford High School, Milford, Nebraska, Mrs. Reber attended both Hesston and Goshen Colleges. A Goshen resident since 1976, Mrs. Reber served as a missionary to Japan from 1952 to 1967. She had also worked as a bank executive in Lombard, Illinois, and as Executive Secretary for Women's Missionary Service Commission for the Mennonite Church. She was a member of College Mennonite Church where she served as a greeter. As a volunteer she ran the gift shop at Oaklawn. There will be no public visitation. An 11:30 a.m., Friday, February 3, 2012, memorial service will be conducted at College Mennonite Church with Pastor Phil Waite officiating. Memorials may be made to College Mennonite Church or to Mennonite Mission Network.