Barbara LaVancha Cimaglia

Barbara LaVancha Cimaglia passed away peacefully on September 12, 2026, in Greeley, CO, just a couple weeks shy of her 90th birthday.

Barbara was born on September 27, 1936, in Iowa Falls, Iowa, to LaVerne and Thelma Overman. When she was a young child, her family moved to Kansas where she grew up in Wichita and Colby, graduating from Colby Community High School in 1954. She pursued her passion for education at the Colorado State College of Education in Greeley, where she was a proud member of the Delta Zeta sorority. She graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Barbara married Donald Cimaglia, whom she met while attending college and the couple were married on August 17, 1958, beginning a lifelong partnership that lasted 67 years. They moved to Fort Morgan, Colorado, to launch their respective teaching careers and raise their family. They had two daughters, Deb and Karen. While Donald dedicated his career to teaching junior high and high school students, Barbara focused her talents on elementary education.

Barbara dedicated 25 years to enriching the lives of young people in the Fort Morgan community. She shaped young minds as an elementary school teacher at both Baker Elementary and Sherman Elementary schools until her retirement in 1988, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, patience, and dedication. Outside of the classroom, she was an avid reader and deeply enjoyed spending time playing bridge with friends.

Barbara's greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her daughters, Deb Stella (Scott) and Karen Bothwell (Kevin); four grandchildren, Amber (Zach), Shelly (Dan), Kellen (Ruby), Kelsey; and 11 great-grandchildren; Lyla, Josie, Eli, Belle, Kimber, Annie, Cash, Matthias, Ellis, George, and Porter.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; her parents, LaVerne and Thelma Overman; her older brother, Charles Overman; and her great-grandson, Noah.

No formal services are planned, in accordance with her wishes.