1938-2025
Barbara Jean Tanner, lovingly known as Jean, age 87, of Larned, Kansas, passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Country Living Senior Living Center in Larned. Her warmth, energy, and devotion to her family and friends will be cherished forever.
Born on April 13, 1938, in Paxico, Kansas, Jean was the daughter of August “Lee” Berroth and Selena “Lena” Schmitt Berroth. She grew up in Paxico, Kansas where she attended local schools and graduated with the Paxico High School Class of 1956.
Jean’s heart was always with her family and close friends. She was the glue that kept everyone together, never missing a birthday, milestone, or family get together. Whether it was a phone call to check in, a Facebook message to share a laugh, porch-sitting conversations with neighbors or a seat in the bleachers, Jean was always present. She loved sports and was her four sons’ biggest fan, and that enthusiasm extended to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. From basketball and baseball to football, golf, soccer, dance and gymnastics, Jean’s support was unwavering and joyful. She was also a faithful supporter of Larned’s middle and high school teams, rarely missing a game, especially when accompanied by her dear friends Barbara Bennett and Marlene Carr, together known as the “three musketeers”.
On August 10, 1957, Jean married the love of her life, Darrell Dean Tanner, in Newbury. Together, they built a wonderful life, starting on the Tanner family farm near Wamego and then moving to Dodge City in the early 1960’s, then to Damar and Belleville, and eventually settling in Larned in 1975. Jean worked for over 35 years at Smith Dental Clinic, before retiring. She was a proud member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Larned.
Jean is survived by her four sons: Mike of Larned, Rick (Kathy) of Topeka, Rob (Donna) of Garden City, and Brent (Denise) of Manhattan; her brother Ron (Diane) of Topeka; her beloved grandchildren Emily (Connor) Christensen, Katie Woodbury, Kara Tanner, Weston Tanner, Kaycee Tanner, Parker (Tianna) Tanner, Carson Tanner, Whitney Tanner (Cole), and Cooper Tanner; and six great-grandchildren Kenlee, Kamree, Charlie, Kaden, Brody and Layton along with many special cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Darrell, her parents, and her siblings Art Berroth, Larry Berroth, Joe Berroth, Brad Berroth, Sue Anderson, and Betty Schuetz, daughter-in-law Kathy Knuckolls Tanner and infant grandson David Michael Tanner.
Memorial Mass will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 11, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Warren Stecklein presiding. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Beckwith Mortuary with family present from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Rosary and Vigil will be at 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the mortuary.
Memorials may be given to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in care of Beckwith Mortuary, P.O. Box 477, Larned, KS 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.
To send a flower arrangement in memory of Barbara Jean Tanner, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Barbara Jean Tanner, please click here to visit our sympathy store.
Funeral Home in Charge
