Barbara Lynn Kelsey (Schumacher)   01/15/1967 - 09/23/2025

I was born in Albion, NE on January 15, 1967. I lived around the St. Edward area until 1978. It was then that my family moved to North Platte where I attended school and graduated from NPHS in 1985. In the years that followed I just lived life and had fun!

In 1998 I became a nail tech…I was a natural which made me love doing nails. I worked at different salons in North Platte but it was only when I started working at Trends Hair Studio that I discovered what a true work family was!  For almost 20 years those girls were my family and it was a sad day when it ended. But I was lucky enough to continue working with some of my Trends family at Ellevate Salon. Keri and Amanda created a calm and peaceful space for me to finish out my career and for that I was both grateful and humbled…because I was home.

In 2001 I was setup on a blind date with a man named Mike Kelsey. About 2 hours into our first date, I knew he was "the one". He made me laugh harder than everyone I've ever known. Mike asked me to be his wife 5 months later and I enthusiastically said yes!  We were married on October 12th, 2003. And to this union were brought Molly, Kit, Bart, Shira, Tess and Rudy…our dogs…the loves of our lives. Our marriage was very unconventional…we never vacationed together because we didn't want to leave our dogs alone!  But we matched each other's energy and we loved each other hard!  Laughter was the core of our marriage and boy did we laugh!  Every…single…day!

I had a very special group of girls in my life…my tribe, my squad, my ride or dies…whatever you call a group of 4 very loyal friends. Maggie, Cathy and Jen…they knew me better than even my own husband. From traveling together to concerts to our annual garage sales to caking cows to faux leather to creeper van rides…we laughed and cried and teased each other. We could always find each other in a crowd with a simple "mew mew".  My girls also understood that sarcasm was my love language. I only wish every woman had a group of friends like mine…when one of the queens fell, the others picked her up and straightened her crown. We loved each other unconditionally.

Towards the end of my life, my favorite things to do were sit in my hammock chair under the tree with a cup of coffee and a good book. Mike and I would do old people things like keeping track of all the peacocks with their babies that roamed our neighborhood…it really was the simple things in life that I loved.

I leave behind my husband and love of my life, Mike, along with various family members …and friends that feel like family members…too many people to mention but you all know who you are!

I have chosen cremation with no memorial service but several of my friends joked that once I was gone, they could do whatever they wanted and I agreed…so who knows?!

I was always an animal lover therefore in lieu of memorials, please consider making a donation to one of the 3 animal welfare groups here in North Platte…Pawsitive Partners, FUR the Love of PAWS Rescue and TNR North Platte…these charities are all volunteer based and North Platte is lucky to have them!

I had a great ride; may it be a short life…it was still a beautiful life that I lived…love to you all!

This was perfectly written by Barb herself.  She was a beautiful friend and if you were lucky enough to be in that friendship you knew her love deeply and truly.  We all have our own unforgettable memories of her and when we see each other in passing, share those memories.  She would want us all to honor her with love and laughter keeping her alive in our hearts.  There will be a small private gathering to honor Barb and her last resting place this Friday.  Take a moment that day to think of Barbie and love her as fiercely as she loved you.