Barbara B. Gildersleeve

Barbara B. Gildersleeve, of Poteau died Friday, Dec. 23, 2011.  She was born in Laurel, Neb., on July 23, 1921, to Harvey and Viola (Woodruff) Bessire. She was a homemaker and member of the Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Smith, Ark.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Maida Fast.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Vance E. Gildersleeve; three children, Joan Mize and husband Glenn Mize of Poteau, James Wiegand and wife Jeanette of Auburn, Wash., and Niel Wiegand and wife Beth of Rochester, Minn.; two step-children, Vancine Clanton and husband William of Red Bluff, Calif., and Ronald Gildersleeve and wife Shirley of DeSoto, Texas;  a sister, Virginia Martinsen of Santa Rosa, Calif.;  seven grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and other family members.
A memorial service will be held at a later time. Cremation service is under the direction of Grace Manor Funeral Home, Poteau. On-line messages may be left at www.gracemanorfh.com [1].