Barbara Jo Tanner

Barbara Jo (Bigler) Tanner passed away on September 26, 2026, in Wichita, Kansas, the city where her life began on July 29, 1944. She was 82.

A 1962 graduate of Wichita Southeast High School, Barbara built a remarkable career marked by dedication, warmth, and lasting relationships. She worked as an orthodontic assistant for Rogers, Duncan, and Dillehay for 25 years, and then for Dr. Crowder at Smiles Orthodontics for another 25 years. She loved her work and made lifelong friends there whom she held dear. Her professional life reflected so much of who she was: kind, happy, faithful, encouraging, and deeply concerned for others and their welfare.

Barbara will be remembered as an adventurous and spontaneous spirit, a good listener, and a true prayer warrior. She served as a lay pastor at Central Community Church and also volunteered at Wesley, ministries that reflected her strong faith and her heart for helping others. Affectionately known as Grandma B and Aunt B, she loved being with family and friends more than anything. She found joy in thrifting, gardening, lake life, and cheering for NFL football, especially the Kansas City Chiefs. She enjoyed Angelo’s Italian Restaurant, Hallmark and romance movies, black coffee and ice cream, and the simple pleasure of sitting and chatting.

Some of the most cherished memories of Barbara are found in the everyday moments she made special. She was known for making homemade pies for the holidays. She loved going to lunch, shopping, and getting manis and pedis with her daughter and granddaughters. She treasured seeing and hearing about her great-grandchildren, loved both giving and receiving hugs, and enjoyed watching NFL football with her son. Saturdays with her niece Cheryl and her sister-in-law Betty brought her happiness, as did spontaneous adventures with her great-nephew Jared.

Barbara’s family was the great love of her life. She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Phipps and her husband Grant of Wichita, and her son, Todd Tanner and his wife Lynne of Wichita. She also leaves her sisters-in-law, Millie Bigler and Betty George. Her love continues through her grandchildren: Alexa Houlik and her husband Joe; Lauren Butler and her husband JJ; Taylor Hagan and her husband Max; Hope Abbott and her husband Corey; Brayden Phipps; Chelsea Hallice and her husband TJ; and Ali Driver and her husband Dylan.

She was also blessed with a large and growing circle of great-grandchildren, who brought her enormous joy: Eli, Luke, Hayes, Lennon, Parker, Lorelei, Brantley, Nora, Tripp, Hallie, Stevie, George, Winnie, Charlie, and Teddy, with two more on the way. She is also survived by her beloved nieces Cheryl, Jennifer R, Jeff, Jennifer B, Tish, and Heidi, as well as Jared and several other loved ones held close in the family’s heart.

Barbara was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Bigler; her mother, Norma Russell Hume; her brother, Ronald Bigler; and her sisters-in-law, Loretta Jolly and Amanda Law.

Barbara’s life was a gift of faith, encouragement, conversation, laughter, and steadfast love. She had a way of making people feel seen, cared for, and welcomed, and the memories she created will remain a comfort to all who knew her.