Barbara Louise Gondran

Barbara Louise Gondran (Cooper), 77, of Blue Springs, Missouri passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family, Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri. She was born Wednesday, January 15, 1947 in White Cloud, Missouri, to the late Ollie Cooper and Eva Cooper. She was a graduate of the Weaubleau High School where she grew up on a nearby farm. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music, with a double major in Vocals and Piano from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO. Barbara lived in Higginsville for eight years and then resided in Blue Springs for most of her life. She taught orchestra, choir, color guard and band in the Blue Springs and surrounding school districts for 35 years as well as private music lessons. She was very proud to be David Cook's orchestra teacher before he went on to win on the television series, American Idol in 2008. In addition to teaching, Barbara worked as a real estate agent. She loved helping people find the perfect home and enjoyed investing and renovating properties. Barbara's second passion behind music was skydiving. She was a Class D Jumpmaster, completing more than 600 jumps over the last 25 years. She loved skydiving so much she became a skydiving teacher. Barbara was very social and made and kept friends at an exceptional level. She was very active in her beloved sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, a social and philanthropic women’s organization, where she was a devoted sister for 49 years. She held every office, and served as President for the Blue Springs City Council. She was honored as Valentine Queen and Woman of the Year several times. She also loved performing and was a 2nd Alto and served as librarian for the Jacomo Chorale for over 15 years. She also sang and danced for local veterans in The Grateful Americans Entertainment Troupe. She had a passion for life and laughter, family and friendship. In addition to the aforementioned, she was deeply passionate about politics and seeing the world in person. One-of-a-kind does not begin to describe the uniqueness of her personality and spirit and this can be quantified by the impact she had on a myriad of lives from students to seniors, and everyone in between. Few people can measure their last hours with the volume of love and compassion Barbara received. Surviving Barbara are one son, Tommy Bruening of Auburn, Al; one daughter, Tami (Kurt) Divich of Las Vegas, NV; one brother, Forrest (Sharon) Cooper of Weaubleau, MO; five grandchildren, Chance Bruening, Riley Divich, Trystyn Divich, Kyra Divich, and Quinn Divich and her beloved cat Queen Kitty. The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at First United Methodist Church, 301 SW Woods Chapel Rd. Blue Springs, Missouri. A funeral service will follow at 1:00 PM with Pastor Colin Brown officiating. A Celebration of Life will follow at Sinclair’s in Blue Springs. Interment will be in the Robinson Cemetery, Weaubleau, MO on Sunday, September 29, 2024. In honor of her legacy, memorials may be left in the form of financial donations or donating musical instruments no longer needed to www.bandofangels.org Funeral services entrusted to Stewart-Hoefer Funeral Home and online condolences may be made to the family at www.stewarthoeferfuneralhome.com

Barbara Louise Gondran

January 15, 1947 - September 14, 2024