Barbara Ann (Ebert) La Rue, 91, died Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute.
Mrs. La Rue was born Jan. 5, 1934, in Chanute, the eldest daughter of Orval W. Ebert and Violet P. (Spong) Ebert.
Mrs. La Rue attended both Lincoln and Murray Hill grade schools, Royster Junior High School, and Chanute Senior High School, graduating in 1951. Mrs. La Rue attended Chanute Junior College (now Neosho County Community College,) graduating in 1953 with an associate’s degree and a teaching certificate. Mrs. La Rue graduated in the top ten percent of her class at CJC, and was named a member of Sigma Alpha.
Mrs. La Rue married Dr. Billy Joe La Rue on Aug. 16, 1953, at the Evangelical United Brethren Church (now Otterbein Community Church of Chanute.)
Dr. and Mrs. La Rue moved to Manhattan. Mrs. La Rue taught school at a one-room schoolhouse on McDowell Creek Road outside of Manhattan while Dr. La Rue was a student at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State College (now Kansas State University.) When Dr. La Rue graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor’s of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees, the college awarded Mrs. La Rue two honorary degrees – “DVMMRS” and “PHT” (Put Hubby Through.)
Dr. La Rue was a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps while a student at K-State. After graduation, Dr. La Rue was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He and Mrs. La Rue traveled to Chicago, Illinois, where, as a member of the veterinary corps, Dr. La Rue attended the Army’s Meat and Dairy Hygiene School for three months. While in Chicago, Dr. and Mrs. La Rue, along with other Army veterinary officers and their spouses, were able to take advantage of Chicago’s museums and attractions.
Upon completion of his food inspection training, the Army posted Dr. La Rue to Fort Benning, Georgia, where he honorably served his country. While Dr. La Rue was assigned to Fort Benning, he and Mrs. La Rue were able to travel throughout the South.
After Dr. La Rue fulfilled his Army active duty requirements, he and Mrs. La Rue returned to Chanute in August 1958. When Drs. La Rue and McReynolds formed a veterinary partnership and opened Animal Medical Center in September 1958, Mrs. La Rue served as a receptionist and office clerk off and on for many years.
Dr. and Mrs. La Rue had four children. While Dr. La Rue practiced veterinary medicine, Mrs. La Rue focused her energy on rearing their four children – Bruce, Brad, Brian, and Beth.
Mrs. La Rue served as a room mother for many years at the James B. Hutton Grade School. She also served as a Den Mother for Cub Scout Pack 100 while her sons were members and Dr. La Rue served as Cubmaster. She was also a member of a Home Demonstration Unit for many years. She was an excellent cook and seamstress, making clothes for herself and her daughter. She loved her family, and was an extraordinary mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Mrs. La Rue was an excellent musician. She played the piano and organ for many years. While in high school, Mrs. La Rue was a member of both the band and choir. She was a percussionist, playing the cymbals and glockenspiel. She was also a member of the Junior Red Cross and the Y-Teens Club, where she served as its pianist. She was a member of a Triple Trio female vocal ensemble in high school which took first place at a state competition.
Mrs. La Rue loved to sing, and was complemented by many for her beautiful voice. She also loved to laugh, and often said she would rather have “smile lines” than “frown lines” on her face.
Mrs. La Rue was a lifetime member of the Otterbein Community Church of Chanute. Her faith was very important to her. She was baptized and became a member of the church when she was eight years old. Mrs. La Rue was recently honored by Otterbein for her 82-year membership.
Mrs. La Rue was preceded in death by her beloved husband; her parents; her younger sister, Janet L. (Ebert) Crownover; her eldest son, Bruce A. La Rue; and her daughter, Beth A. (La Rue) Pruitt.
Mrs. La Rue is survived by her son Brad J. La Rue and his wife, Carrie, of Chanute; and her son Brian J. La Rue, Chanute. She is also survived by Bruce’s wife, Gila (Tatman) La Rue, Chanute, and Beth’s husband, Carl Pruitt, Hughes Springs, Texas. Mrs. La Rue is also survived by her grandchildren: Kim (La Rue) Novotny, and her husband, Jerod, of Neodesha, Kansas; Zach La Rue, Las Cruces, New Mexico; Jacob La Rue, Chanute; Maggie La Rue, Newton, Kansas; C.J. Pruitt and his wife, Stacie, Lindale, Texas; and Christine Pruitt, Hughes Springs, Texas. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Jake Novotny, Kaylie Novotny, Novalee Novotny, and Orland Novotny, all of Neodesha; Norah La Rue, Newton; and Brantley Pruitt, Lindale, Texas.
Per Mrs. La Rue’s request, no visitation will be held. The casket will remain closed. Her funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at the Otterbein Community Church of Chanute. The service will be led by Brother Russ Vallier, with Pastor Harry Disbrow assisting. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family requests memorial contributions be made in Mrs. La Rue’s memory to the Otterbein Community Church of Chanute.
Countryside Funeral Home, Chanute, is in charge of arrangements. On-line condolences may be left at https:// www.countrysidefh.com.
