Elizabeth Bradford Barnitz

Elizabeth Bradford Moore Barnitz died in her home on March 20, 2023, at the age of 86. She was born a Christmas baby on December 25, 1936, to Frank and Evelyn (Freeman) Moore of Kansas City, MO. She had one brother, Franklin “Freeman” Moore, and one sister Evelyn “Anne” Moore Haydon. Liz married George Alan Barnitz on November 3, 1962, in Rolla, MO. They began their life of mutual love and devotion to each other in Coldwater, MO. After a few years, they settled back on the family farm at Lake Spring, MO, where they raised their family of four children: Laura, Ellen, Frank, and Sara. Although she grew up in Kansas City, Liz spent many summers at her grandparent’s farm in rural Phelps County near the community of Relfe, MO, where she loved to ride horses with cousins, nieces, and nephews, and discovered how much she loved country life. Liz earned her teaching degree from Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield, MO, and taught at Pleasant Hill, MO, and Rolla, MO, before becoming a full-time farm wife and homemaker. At any given time, you could find her milking cows, putting up hay, working cattle, feeding hogs, keeping house, and teaching her kids the value of hard work. Liz valued community as well as family. She was active in several organizations over the years including both the Missouri and National Cattlewomen’s Associations, Intercounty Electric Women’s Auxiliary, Lake Spring 4-H Club, Salem Memorial Hospital Women’s Auxiliary, Red Hot Mad Hatters group, and others. She promoted agriculture whenever she could, often helping with local events for the Dent County Cattlemen’s Association, Dent County Pork Producers, and Dent County 4-H. She opened their home to several 4-H foreign exchange students and fed countless hay haulers over the years. Liz enjoyed riding and showing horses in her early years. She loved turkey hunting, mushroom hunting, going to auctions, visiting the Lake Spring Post Office, traveling, striking up conversations with strangers and friends alike, playing games, and eating food as long as she didn’t have to cook it. She loved family reunions where she could get together with her grandkids, great-grandkids, cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family. She felt very blessed to have such a close family even if they lived far apart. She also included as family many of the young men who helped on the farm over the years. Liz touched many more lives than she would ever know. She will be missed dearly by her family and others who knew her. Liz was preceded in death by beloved family members including her parents Frank and Evelyn Moore, parents-in-law George and Betty Barnitz, brother Freeman Moore, sister Anne Haydon, sister-in-law Edie Moore Berg, brother-in-law Ed Haydon, great-niece Stephanie Trujillo, and granddaughter Leslie Fry. Those left to treasure her memory include her husband George Alan Barnitz, Lake Spring; children Laura Barnitz and husband Abi D’sa, Silver Spring, Maryland; Ellen Villeme and husband Fred, Rolla; Frank Barnitz and wife Lisa, Lake Spring; Sara Earl and husband Pat, Rolla; grandchildren Ava D’sa; Diya D’sa; AnniLauri Villeme; Shaila Villeme; Forrest Villeme; Cami Chapman and husband Justin; Kenadee Barnitz and fiancée Traves Merrick; Amaura Fry, Alison Earl and fiancée Tyler Dvorak; Nathan Earl; great-grandchildren Presley Chapman, Hadlee Dvorak, Gus Merrick, and Denver Merrick; sister-in-law Janet Faye Bowles. Liz also has many special nieces, nephews, and cousins who love her. A celebration of life service will be conducted for Liz at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, April 22, 2023, at the Salem Chapel of James & Gahr Mortuary. Visitation for family and friends will be held at 11:00 a.m. prior to the memorial service. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Elizabeth Barnitz to the Lake Spring Cemetery and left at the Salem Chapel of James & Gahr Mortuary. Memorial envelopes will be available.

Elizabeth Bradford Barnitz

December 25, 1936 - March 20, 2023

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Elizabeth Bradford Barnitz

December 25, 1936 - March 20, 2023

Obituary Notification

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information