I was having fun getting re-acquainted with my second cousin Barbara through our letters. I send my deepest sympathy to the family.
Love, 
Deanna Nadgwick Walton

Barb retired from Stove Prairie Elementary School. She always said that the undesirable weather always fell on her day to have recess duty. Sure enough, on her last day we had a foot of snow! at the end of May! 

I learned a lot from Barbara and appreciate the education she gave to our son and all of the students at Stove Prairie.

Karen England

Barbara was a great classmate and a really great person. I too, remember the wonderful days at the Zesto in Shenandoah. RIP my dear friend. My condolences to the family.

I was in the Class of 1961in Shenandoah Iowa.   Barbara and I were classmates.  We remember you Barbara as a sweet gentle person who smiled easily.   Also who served the best ice cream ever at Zestos. .looking forward to seeing you in Heaven.

I worked with Barb at Putnam for seven years.  I was the office manager and she was such a helpful, positive, happy person - a great teacher and friend.  The students loved her, her fellow teachers loved her, everyone who knew her loved her.  We had kept in touch off and on over the years and it was so sad to see her obituary in the newspaper.
She will be missed by so many. My deepest Sympathy goes out to her family.  God Bless each of You.    Sincerely,   Yvonne Shear (Wallace)

Ms. Briggs was my teacher at Putnam in the 1970's. She was a care woman who cared about her students. She could be firm but fun at the same time. RIP Ms. Briggs

Ms. Briggs ! What a wonderful person and teacher you were.  You were always my Ms. Briggs. You taught both of my children when they were in sixth grade. I was your teacher aide for several years. We didn't stay in touch on a regular basis but still always a friend. Thank you for teaching my children. You were the greatest. Love, Nadine Hisam

I . I taught at Putnam with Barb beginning in 1965.  Later on she would be my son Jay's favorite teacher.  These last few years I have kept in touch with Barb through her lovely mom, working with her in the workroom at Christ Center.  I remember her wonderful smile and her positive attitude.  My prayers and thoughts are with her family.  Sylvia Daire

I taught with Barb for 7 years at Stove Prairie, it was a running joke that if Barb had duty on a Friday, it would rain or snow. On her last day of work, at the end of May, Barb had duty and we had almost a foot and a half of snow. Barb also offered to drive me up Rist Canyon the summer after the High Park fire because she thought I would have a hard time seeing it for the first time. She will be greatly missed!

When I remember Barb, a smile always comes to my face. 
She was such a caring person and seemed to always put others' needs before her own. 

To Mrs. Briggs, Mary Louise and Sherm I'd like to share a few special memories of Barb that speaks to her character.  I met Barb in 1969 when she taught at Putnam.  I was a wife of one of the teachers at Putnam. She welcomed me right into the group of teachers. That was Barb!   

As a group, we would go up to Dick's (principal) cabin in Gould. Hours were spent using our saucer sleds to ""fly"" behind the snowmobiles. We laughed and laughed throughout the weekends. One night after BBQing steaks at the cabin, I got a serious case of food poisoning. Guess who drove me to a country doctor in Walden at 3 in the morning?  Yes, that was Barb!   Her loving ""mother"" skills extended to adults too. 

In 1974 and 1976, I had 2 daughters. She always gave them so much attention. When they were in elementary school. Their favorite past time was playing school, so Barb came up with old teacher manuals they could use. Barb had them feeling like real teachers. That was Barb!  A little of her enthusiasm for teaching probably touched my girls because they are both elementary teachers today. 

Then there was the trip to California with Shara and Diane over Spring Break in the early '70's.  The 4 of us ended up in Death Valley during a terrible sand storm. Barb's car had sand everywhere!  The engine was even covered!  She took it all in stride and never complained.  She found humor in the whole incident. That was Barb!  Calm throughout. 

As the years went by and we grew older, Barb remained in touch with me. We both valued our friendship even after all these years. Barb was truly a loyal friend.....and that was Barb. 

Her love, caring, love of learning and teaching, and overall goodness will remain with those of us who were fortunate to have her touch our lives.  Barb will always remain in our hearts. 

Deepest sympathy,
Sue Wintheiser

I taught at Putman for 31 years.  Barb was there in 1974 when I was hired.  I was fortunate to have worked with a number of wonderful highly professional folk who cared deeply about the welfare of our young people.  I couldn't help but notice daily how her quiet professionalism stood out in all areas.  She was my pillar...I always knew she was the standard of professionalism that held our Putnam staff together, and now I wish I would have shared that with her.

If there's a 'Cloud in the Sky Elementary School' up above, Barb will be in the middle of it keeping the ever-changing winds from blowing those clouds apart.

Our sincere sympathy, Bear and Steve Den

OBITUARY

Barbara Ann Briggs Giertz

11 July, 1943 – 7 January, 2016

Allnutt Funeral & Cremation - Macy

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