Barbara’s life adventure began October 29, 1932, as the youngest child of Chester and Edna (Vaara) Bruce. She joined two older brothers, Norman and Jimmie on the family ranch near Boyes, Montana. As the Great Depression deepened the family temporarily traveled to Oakland, California where her dad and older brother worked as welders in the shipyards. She fondly remembered that as a young girl, she and her best friends would get to go to Saturday or Sunday matinees. Shirley Temple was her favorite actress and in many ways her role model.
Returning to Montana and the ranch allowed her to attend the Osgood Country School, usually riding her horse to and from. Academic abilities allowed her to double up a couple of school years. High school began in Denver where she stayed with an aunt and uncle. High school was completed in Miles City, Montana at the age of 16.
Barbara had the dream of becoming a teacher. She completed one quarter of schooling at Eastern Montana College, Billings was to receive her emergency certificate to teach in rural Powder River County. Her 25-year career in teaching began at the age of 17 as she assumed the duty of teacher at the Powderville school where she boarded with the Susie and Earl McGill family.
She attended summer schools every year, while continuing to teach throughout the school year. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1968 from Black Hills State College in Spearfish, SD. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1968. Schools she taught at included Boyes, Hammond, Johnston School near Ridgeway, Duncan Creek, Belle Creek School, and eventually spent the last several years in the Broadus Elementary School System prior to retiring at age 42.
In her personal life, an early marriage left her with one son, Jimmie Davis born in 1951. In 1955 she married Frank Rosencranz. Together they lived, loved, and argued throughout their over 50-year marriage only ending with Frank’s death in 2013.
Following her professional retirement, she filled her days as a ranch wife on the Neate ranch near Coalwood where she and Frank remained for 25 years.
Always competitive, she enjoyed horseshoes, bowling, pool, card games, and gaming (locally, Reno, Vegas, Jackpot and Deadwood). She excelled at bowling and horseshoes and was a tough opponent on a pool table. Spare time was frequently filled with crocheting and most family members and friends were gifted with afghans. Christmas and New Year’s Parties were not complete without her divinity, fudge, and homemade Tom and Jerry batter. Other special occasions were not complete without a cake, frequently an angel food cake topped with whipped cream and strawberries.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Frank, her parents, Chester and Edna, as well as both brothers, Norman and Jimmie. Surviving are her son Jimmie and his partner Sheila Weaver, sister-in-law Lula May Bruce and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Depending upon how you knew her, her name was either, Barbara, Barb, Mrs. Rosencranz, Mom or Grandma. Definitely a multifaceted person, always memorable.
Family will receive friends on Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday September 23, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, MT 59317
Service Schedule
Family to Receive Friends
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday September 23, 2023
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, MT 59317
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Tena says
Hugs to the family. Barbara was a truly remarkable woman who will never be forgotten ❤️
Cindy Carter Burris says
Barbara and Frank were good friends and neighbors. She will be missed.
Carol Schneidt says
Many memories of Barbara and Frank. Barbara was good to my mom. Thoughts and prayers to the family!
Keira C Cleland says
Gma Barbara was one in a million Welcome 5 more children as grandchildren. Enter her life and never thought twice. About whether we were blood or not She will truly be missed 💔. we love you May you sort with all the Angels and play all the cards in the world and think of it as she’ll NeVER Run out of smokes.
MARTHA J CRANDALL says
my sympathy
June says
Barb always had a smile when she would visit the library.
Love her books. Would tell stories of when she was growing up.
Special lady. May God hold her in the palm of His hand.
Diana Elwood says
Barb was such a wonderful lady, so many good memories of she and Frank, they were a force. Great people, salt of the earth, we really need more people like them. My condolences to all the family and her friends.
Ginger says
Barb was a smart, caring and interesting individual. I’ll always remember her colorful shouts at bowling or games of ‘blew-it’–(paraprasing, of course) ‘Lowdown words and dirty nasty language’ or ‘Yabba-Dabba-Doo’. She is finally back with her Frank….can you imagine that homecoming! See you later, lady!
Tammy Popp Schoenbeck says
thanks to Mrs. Rosencranz i have great handwriting skills from writing so many times, “I will not talk in class”, among other things, RIP Barb!!!
Sylvia Zimmer says
Hugs and prayers for Barbara’s loved ones…
Bernice Rolfson says
Thoughts and prayers to her friends and family, A great family.
Dick says
She was a tough teacher but love to see you tow the mark. Dave sorry for your loss.
Pat Franklin says
Jimmy and family sorry for your loss!
Judy Denson-Keller says
I had her as my fourth grade teacher. She was one tough cookie and a heck of a good bowler. My heartfelt condolences, prayers and hugs go out to Jimmie and the rest of the family. R.I.P. Mrs. Rosencranz!
Karen Gaskill says
My condolences to all of Barbara’s family. She was a person you never forgot if you had the privilege of knowing her. Always a good friend. Can you imagine all the young people she taught! May God be with her and the family.
Clarice Bruce says
Our condolences to Barbara’s family and friends on behalf of the Bruce family in Denver. My dad, Walter John Bruce and Uncle Paul (Buzz) Bruce have shared many great memories of Barbara and her family throughout the years. She will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace Barbara and please pass on our love to our family members up in heaven that you’ve reunited with including Grandma Hilma Bruce, Grandpa Paul Bruce,
Aunt Althea Nisley and all the other family.
Joanne Smyle says
My Sympathy to my grade School teacher Bsrbara Rosencrantz, I think she was my 7th grade teacher at Duncan Creek School. There was only 6 kids in our whole school!! She was a Great teacher….RIP Barbara Rosencrantz
Joanne Chiesa Smyle
Sheri Gali says
So sorry to hear of Mrs. Rosencranz passing. I had her for a teacher at Broadus Elementary . RIP Barbara
Larry & Deanna Hay says
Jim…your mom was a scary teacher at first, but she was a good teacher! Loved it when she read great books aloud to us, the Boxcar Children, Anne of Green Gables, the Secret Garden, she opened doors to books I also read to “my students”…our condolences…
Bob Cook says
A teacher, that I will never forget. She did not put up with horseplay, that I found out the hard way. Such a great lady. RIP
Gail M Ivester says
Many condolences to the family. She was one of the toughest teachers you could ever run against, but very heart felt at times. She will be missed . Sorry prayers Jim.