Barbara Kuhlman

THE LIFE OF BARBARA KUHLMAN
May 18, 1931 – September 1, 2022
Barbara Joan May was born in Detroit, Michigan to Carl and Gertrude May on May 18, 1931. She
was the baby of the family and had one older brother, Donald. She took tap dance lessons as a child and
loved all kinds of music and dance. She loved listening to music including jazz, big bands, oldies and country.
She met her future husband, Kon at a dance hall after high school and discovered they went to the
same church which led to a lasting relationship with each other and the church. Barb played on the
church basketball team and began her lifetime joy of singing in the church choir. Church was an important part of Barb’s life and she made many wonderful friends over the years. Barb helped with the weekly soup suppers and meals, snacks for vacation bible school and was a Deacon.
Barb and Kon were married on August 25, 1950 and raised two children, Kevin and Kris. The family
spent time together camping, boating, traveling, fishing, golfing, bowling and spent many holidays
together with the extended family. Both Barb and Kon were very family oriented and as their family
grew, they spent quality time with the spouses, grandchildren and for Barb great grandchildren too.
Nothing made Barb happier, then spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Every
holiday, birthday and milestone brought her so much joy.
While attending high school at Commerce High School she learned the office skills she would use
during her career. She was an Executive Secretary for most of her working years until she retired so that
she and Kon could enjoy their retirement by traveling all over the United States with their travel trailer.
They were even able to travel to Europe with friends where they visited London, Venice and Paris.
Barb loved to sew and knit and her sewing skills were utilized while the family belonged to the West
Coast Mako Owner’s Fishing Club where she made matching shirts for the entire family (even the littlest
babies) so they would look like a true crew. Her efforts allowed the “Jigger” (boat name) crew to win
many best dressed awards. She also belonged to the Craft & Chatter group at the Largo Community
Center. She met many other ladies who also shared her passion for knitting and crocheting. The group
made many baby blankets and booties, lap robes for the veterans, small blankets for the cats in the
shelters, hats for cancer patients and soft toys for burn victims. They donated many of these items
knowing they were helping improve the lives of so many others. She even made every grandchild and
great grandchild a quilt when they were born. She also helped by making tops and pants when it was
hard to find the correct size in stores.
Barb was a member of the Largo Senior Advisory Board and also was a volunteer who helped in the
kitchen at the Largo Community Center for almost every luncheon and food event. She also helped the
Senior Advisory Board with their food events at their garage sales and annual concert series. She took
her kitchen duties very seriously and made sure all safety procedures were followed.
As a mother, Barb was always there with a reassuring word, a hug, words of encouragement and
tons of support. She was always offering to help in any way even when her health made it difficult to
wrangle a squirmy baby or lift anything heavy. She loved to give and receive hugs and kisses and the
great grandchildren knew to run to her and climb on her lap for that great big smile. We will all miss her
generous heart but know that she is looking down on us and is proud of how we are living our lives. She
touched so many lives while she was here and I’m sure anyone who knew her will not be the same now
that she is gone. She may be gone, but she will never be forgotten.

Arrangements entrusted to Veterans Funeral Care