[NFBWATlk] Barbara Loos death and Zoom link for celebration of life

[Marci Carpenter]

Barbara Loos of Nebraska, a longtime leader in the National Federation of the Blind, died on October 8 after a long battle with cancer. Below is information about her, the celebration of life happening tomorrow (Saturday) morning, and a Zoom link at the end for those who would like to attend virtually.



Barbara Ellen (Beach) Loos

December 28, 1950 – October 8, 2026

Barbara Ellen (Beach) Loos was born December 28, 1950, in Lincoln, Nebraska, to Claire and JoAnn (Gerard) Beach. She grew up in Weeping Water and attended the Nebraska School for the Blind in Nebraska City before moving to Lincoln and receiving her Bachelor’s degree in Education, majoring in English, from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She married her first husband, Jim, in 1977, and they had two children, Marsha and John, before Jim passed away in 1989. She married her second husband, Brad, in 2003, and became a stepmother to his children, Ben and Emma.

Barbara was a lifelong advocate for blind independence and education, serving as the longest-term President of the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults, as well as holding various leadership roles in the National Federation of the Blind at both the state and national levels. Barbara was also very passionate about sports, and especially devoted to her beloved Huskers with her favorite sports being basketball, football, and volleyball. She was also a Saltdogs fan, and would follow local Lincoln and Nebraska players on their professional teams. Barbara was an avid musician, playing the guitar, ukulele, and accordion, and singing in many groups including her church choir. She was also a published author writing many articles and short stories.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Brad; brother, Lani (Bev) Beach; daughter, Marsha McBride; stepchildren, Ben (Nicole) Loos, Emma (Sam) Nennemann, Kevan (Sheri) Walker, and Kyra Colson; grandchildren: Jameson McBride; James, David, Julia, Bella, Kate, and Myra Walker, and Aiden (Heather) and Hannah Colson; and many nieces, nephews, and chosen family members. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Claire and JoAnn Beach; sister, Lauren Merryfield; first husband, Jim Walker; and son, Johnny Walker.

A visitation will be held Friday, October 23, 2026, at Wyuka Funeral Home, 3600 “O” Street, Lincoln, from 4pm to 7pm. Barbara’s funeral service will be 10am, Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Grace Chapel, 1345 S 16th, Lincoln, interment to follow at Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln.

In honor of Barbara, the family invites those attending her services to wear Nebraska Husker attire or traditional funeral attire, whichever they feel most comfortable in.

Memorials may be donated to 

National Federation of the Blind <https://nfb.org/contribute/give>:

Or

American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults <https://actionfund.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=1>:

Complete obituary online:

https://www.wyuka.com/barbara-ellen-beach-loos/


Below is the text of Barbara’s funeral program and the words to the hymns. Barbara’s family wanted people to have this ahead of time in case they wanted to use a braille device.
 
 
 Program Text:

 

In Loving Memory of Barbara Loos

December 28, 1950 - October 8, 2026

 

Funeral Service 

10:00 AM, Saturday, October 24, 2026

Grace Chapel

1345 S. 16th Street, Lincoln

 

Order of Service:

Prelude 

Opening Music - Jolene Boshart

 

Welcome and Invocation - Pastor Ben Loos

 

Old Testament Scripture Reading 

Selections: Job 19:25-27; Psalm 116:7-9, 15

Reader: Laura Consolazione

Hymn: Hymn of Promise - Congregational Singing led by Crystal Davy

 

New Testament Scripture Reading 

Selections: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Romans 8:38-39; John 10:27-29 

Reader: Ben Loos

 

Hymn: Everything New - Congregational Singing led by Crystal Davy

 

Pastoral Message/Homily - Pastor Ben Loos

 

Photograph Slide Show (with read captions) 

 

Personal Stories and Reflections

 

Special music: Goin’ Home - Kevan Walker

 

“Let It Be” The Beatles

 

Benediction - Pastor Ben Loos

 

Recessional/Postlude Closing Music  - Jolene Boshart

 

Pallbearers: 

Lani Beach 

Doug Loos

Jameson McBride

Ben Loos

Sam Nennemann

Kevan Walker

Marc Maurer

Fred Schroeder

Shane Buresh

 

Poem on the back of the program:

Mother:

God took the fragrance of a flower,

The majesty of a tree,

The gentleness of morning dew,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The beauty of the twilight hour,

The soul of a starry night,

The laughter of a rippling brook,

The grace of a bird in flight,

The tender care of an angel,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family’s need,

Then God fashioned from these things

A creation of no other,

And when his masterpiece was through,

He simply called it Mother.

 

The images on the program include a photo of Barbara on the front taken at a tulip farm. The photo is placed under a cross surrounded by white flowers and greenery. The back of the program has a picture of a cardinal as well as two roses that were drawn by Johnny Walker. 

 

Hymns for the service:

Hymn: Hymn of Promise - Congregational Singing led by Crystal Davy

 

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;

In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!

In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

 

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;

There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.

From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

 

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;

In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,

In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

 

Hymn: Everything New - Congregational Singing led by Crystal Davy

 

The snow-covered peaks

And the kiss of the sun

Hold a faint echoing

Of their glory to come

Hear the rivers and stones

Like a mother in birth

As together they groan

For the end of the curse

 

[chorus]

You make everything new

Everything new

All that's dying and dry

Will be watered with life

And everything sad come untrue

You make everything new

Everything new

The trumpet will sound

And your glory rain down

And shower the earth like the dew

You make everything new

 

All who long for the right

All who grieve for their wrongs

All who weep in the night

All who ache at the dawn

Cry for grace to appear

And for justice to come

When you dry every tear

And you welcome us home

 

[chorus]

You make everything new

Everything new

All that's dying and dry

Will be watered with life

And everything sad come untrue

You make everything new

Everything new

The trumpet will sound

And your glory rain down

And shower the earth like the dew

You make everything new

 

[bridge] 

Lord lift our eyes and fix them on Zion

The city descending, the hope we rely on

Where rivers of wine and oceans of gladness

Will drown all the dying and sickness and sadness

Oh now make us citizens born of that nation

Who work as we wait for the earth's consummation

Living for resurrection and the reckoning

Longing and laboring till... 

 

[chorus]

You make everything new

Everything new

All that's dying and dry

Will be watered with life

And everything sad come untrue

You make everything new

Everything new

The trumpet will sound

And your glory rain down

And shower the earth like the dew

You make everything new

 

Stream Link:

https://www.gracepca.com/funeral-live-stream