Former Cape Girardeau resident Barbara Knote Head, 58, of Denver died Friday, July 30, 2010, in Denver

She was born June 4, 1952, in Cape Girardeau, daughter of Charles E. and Ruth Rueseler Knote. She attended Campus Grade School, Central Junior High School and Central High School, from which she graduated in 1970. She began her college career at Southeast Missouri State University (one year) and finished her B.S. degree in marketing at Metropolitan State College in Denver.

Upon graduation Barb was a sales representative for Procter & Gamble in the health and beauty department 12 years. Later Barb became a licensed real estate broker and agent.

Barb was a member of PEO Chapter FF 32 years and served as president of the chapter. She was a member of Denver Press Club and served as president of the organization.

Barb truly loved animals! In her childhood, she would rescue any stray dog or cat and hide the "hopeful pet" in her bedroom closet. Her acts of kindness continued into her adulthood when she volunteered for Dumb Friends League (Animal Rescue) in Denver.

Gourmet cooking was one of Barb's favorite hobbies. She was always experimenting with new recipes.

Barb was preceded in death by her father, Charles Knote.

Survivors include her mother, Ruth Knote of Cape Girardeau; three sisters, Nancy (husband Robert) Evenden of Cresco, Pa., Elizabeth "Lizbe" Knote of Cape Girardeau, Patricia "Patti" Knote of Indianapolis; and a brother, Richard (wife Mary) Knote of Memphis, Tenn.

Surviving children are Tracy (husband John) Hale II of Temple, Texas, and Julie Vardiman of Denver; grandchildren, Amanda Ruth Hale and John "Jake" Hale III of Temple.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau.

Private inurnment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Southeast Missouri and First Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau.

Announcement courtesy of Ford and Sons Funeral Home.