Barbara Aten

February 27, 1929 - June 22, 2017

Barbara Beth Aten, 88, of Lincoln, Nebraska passed away on June 22, 2017 at Clark Jeary Retirement Center. Barbara was born February 27, 1929 in Grant, NE to Ross and Lillie Watkins. She attended school in Grant and graduated from Perkins County High School in 1947. She married her sweetheart Wayne L. Aten on May 28, 1947. To this couple was born four sons. Wayne and Barbara started a family clothing store in Grant in 1968, which eventually expanded to five stores in the tristate area. They moved to Goodland, KS in 1982 to open a branch there. Barbara was a "people" person and enjoyed serving others. She was active in several civic organizations, including cub scouts, church, Ambassadors, and Goodland City Commission, serving as mayor of Goodland for 1 term. Her passion was Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Grand Matron of Nebraska from 1981-82. Barbara is survived by husband of 70 years Wayne Aten of Lincoln, NE; sons Steve (Karen) Aten of Broken Arrow, OK, Gregg (Denice) of Lincoln, NE, and Shane and fiance Dana Grant of Ukiah, CA; sisters B.J. Weatherby (Laverne Nielsen) of Greensboro, NC and Francis (Bernie) Beers of Sulphur Springs, TX; sister-in-law Priscilla Watkins of Venice, FL; 9 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, son Terry Aten, sister Martha Jean (Pete) Pierpoint, brother Bill Watkins, brother-in-law Phil Weatherby, brother-in-law Pete Pierpoint, and great grandson Grayson Aten. A graveside service will be on Saturday August 12, 2017 at 3:00 PM at Fairview Cemetery in Grant, NE. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children in Fremont, NE. Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.