Carol Jean Barber

Carol Jean Schnuelle Barber. 90, of Fairbury, Nebraska, passed away on November 22, 2023. She was born to Alfred and Mary (Allpress) Schnuelle in Fairbury, on August 24, 1933. Carol grew up on the family farm near Harbine and attended country school near Harbine until high school when she attended Fairbury High School.

Carol worked at the Fairbury City Offices following high school. On Easter Sunday, March 25, 1951, Carol married her high school sweetheart, Jim Barber. Jim joined the Marines in 1952 and Carol moved with him to San Diego, CA, then to Camp Lejeune, N.C. After Jim’s honorable discharge, they moved back to Fairbury in 1954. Carol was a busy stay-at-home wife and mother to four children until 1976 when she joined Jim in the family business at Barber Furniture. In the early 1980’s Carol opened Tone & Tan Salon. A very successful business that turned into a distributorship. In 1985, Carol and Jim opened Courtyard Square Restaurant in Fairbury with the help of many family members.

Many interests and organizations in the community kept Carol busy. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church, P.E.O., Extension Club, Rock Creek Quilters and as a 4-H leader. At home, Carol raised hogs, chickens and dogs. She enjoyed gardening and baking and vended her goods at the Farmers Market. She also published a cookbook and won many ribbons at the County Fair.

Family was the center of Carol’s life. She and Jim were married 72 years. Family vacations were highlights of Carol’s life. She traveled to the mountains, beaches, internationally including Australia, New Zealand, France, Mexico and Canada. Later in life she and Jim wintered in South Padre, TX and Florida.

Carol is preceded in death by parents Alfred and Mary Schnuelle, husband Jim and sister Lois Poppe. She is survived by sister Janice Schnuelle of Lincoln, NE; daughter, Pam (John) Jones of Luck, WI; sons Terry (Annette) of Lincoln, NE, Kevin (Lori) and Kent (Jennipher) of Fairbury, NE. Eleven grandchildren,16 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephew.