Joseph and Barbara Krier

Barbara Rose and Joseph Claude Krier were the epitome of team, working together toward common goals. They shared many wonderful qualities and built a loving home, utilizing their individual talents to create a safe, welcoming place for their family and friends. They were accepting and warm, knowing how to make others feel comfortable and valued.

In 1955, Roselyn and James Redding were delighted to find that they were expecting their fourth child, but they soon learned that Roselyn's health required open-heart surgery, a procedure that had rarely been done and was highly dangerous for both Roselyn and the baby. Remarkably, the operation was successful and on February 5, the Reddings welcomed their Miracle Baby, Barb, into the world. She was soon toddling after her big sisters and leading the way for the two siblings that followed her. She developed a love of painting and enjoyed many pleasant trips with her family to a cottage in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Barb attended St. Matthews until it was time to enter high school.

While Barb's family was adjusting to her arrival, Betty Jean and William J. Krier were expecting a baby of their own, and on April 4, 1956, their son Joseph was born. When Betty saw her room at Coleman Hospital, she was shocked to find a virtual suite, complete with a bed on a pedestal. She figured the hospital had to know that her baby was one amazing individual to merit such luxurious accommodations. With five older siblings, Joe had to hit the ground running in order to keep up, and since five more followed him he quickly learned to share and pitch in. With thirteen people living in their house, it would have been easy for everyone to do their own thing, but in the Krier household, family came first. They faithfully attended Mass together on Sunday mornings and went to all extra curricular activities to offer support, lessons of love that stayed with Joe throughout his lifetime.

Joe had his own Indianapolis Star paper route, but made a lot of time for fun. He was often found in the backyard climbing trees and building tree houses and forts. He had many friends, including John Kennedy (aka "Kendog"), many of whom were on his Christ the King School sports teams and joined him in his all-night Monopoly games. He liked music and began teaching himself to play the guitar.

Barb and Joe enrolled at Bishop Chatard High School the same year, but didn't meet right away. Loyal and fun-loving, Barb held on to many of her childhood friends like Sally Minich and also made several new friends thanks to her outgoing nature and extensive involvement in extracurricular activities. During her senior year, Barb hosted the first of what would become thirty-three annual Christmas parties for a group of Bishop Chatard friends. Joe was also active and well liked. A natural entertainer, he played the part of Jesus in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar and played the guitar in a band called Tree Beard. He broke all of the school's pole-vaulting records and still found time to establish his own janitorial company, which helped him pay his way through high school.

Although Barb and Joe had many individual accomplishments, there was one outstanding moment in the high school cafeteria that involved them both. Joe, tray in hand, was looking for a place to sit when suddenly his eyes fell upon a bright-eyed young lady eating her lunch. He was hooked. He circled her table, unsure of how to approach her, and a mutual friend mercifully introduced them. It was the beginning of more than thirty wonderful years together, in which they shared things as basic as Homecoming honors and as amazing as the incredible privilege of raising a family.

After graduation, Barb attended Purdue University and Joe continued running his janitorial company. They were married at Christ the King Church on November 4, 1978. Joe performed, as a touching surprise, the song "Lady" for Barb. The reception was held at an American Legion post in Broad Ripple. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was Barb's idea of perfect. While the band was taking a break, Joe and members of his band picked up the instruments and began performing, immediately livening up the festivities. As their friends later carried them around the room on their shoulders, Joe and Barb could think of no better way to start their new life together, held up by those dearest to them.

A few years later, the Kriers were overjoyed to hold their first baby, Theresa. When Andrew and Matthew joined the family, Joe and Barb felt their love multiply more than they had thought possible. As an example of Joe's lighthearted yet purposeful way of making everyone feel important, he gave each family member a nickname. Barb was "Mamasita" and Theresa was "Big T." He dubbed Andrew "Androidal Unit," Matt became "T-bone," and Joe called himself "Big Papa." Joe and Barb taught them that family is always there for each other, a truth that was vividly illustrated the first time they took Theresa to school at Xavier University. Upon hearing the college's recommendation that parents discourage their children from visiting home frequently, Joe immediately responded, "If Big T wants to come home, Big T is coming home. I'll be there to pick her up." They were supportive of each child's endeavors, and were proud to see each one graduate from Bishop Chatard. They made family life fun and creative, using humor to diffuse tense situations while teaching their children to look for the silver lining. They also taught their children to refuse to give in to the temptation of talking negatively about other people, by example.

Barb and Joe established several family traditions that reinforced their values of respect, consideration, and love. Every Thanksgiving, Joe took out a framed photo of his late father, Bill Krier, carving the Thanksgiving turkey. The photo sat on the kitchen counter while the Thanksgiving meal was being prepared. Every Christmas, Barb and Joe created handmade ornaments celebrating each of their children. Whenever any of the Krier children came in at night after their parents had gone to sleep, they were required to give their mother a goodnight kiss before going to bed themselves, no matter what time it was. Barb and Joe also wanted their children to look past themselves, and consistently modeled volunteerism.

Barb delivered communion to nursing home residents and others unable to attend services at St. Pius Catholic Church and also was to be a Confirmation sponsor for her niece. She and Joe were pre-nuptial counselors at their church, and volunteered regularly for events at the Knights of Columbus St. Pius Council 3433. Joe was a Little League baseball coach, a weekly server at the Cathedral Soup Kitchen, and a member of Angel Flight, a national organization of pilots who use their private planes to transport sick children for medical treatment. They also exemplified true friendship-most of their friends were 30+ year old friendships. Debbie Hotka captured that perfectly when she mentioned she was a "new friend" because they only knew each other twenty years.

In their careers, Barb and Joe were willing to take risks in order to do what they loved. Barb was a kitchen designer whose work has been featured on the covers of dozens of national and regional interior design magazines. She worked for Reese Kitchen for more than twenty years before creating her own firm, Design Source, and was a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. Joe owned Joe's Auto Sales in Indianapolis and co-owned Connersville GM Super Center. He was a member of the National Auto Dealers Association and past president and chairman of the board of the Indiana Independent Auto Dealers Association. As if those activities didn't keep them busy enough, they both had other outside interests. Barb continued to paint and recently took the opportunity to hike part of the Appalachian Trail. Joe formed a new band that frequently performed at family functions and events for which it was hired. Joe enjoyed flying and scuba diving and frequently flew the family to North Captiva Island for vacation. The Island was their peaceful relaxing place. Barb and Joe watched every sunset on the beach always looking for the elusive green flash. Joe even wrote a song about it.

Barb and Joe will be remembered for what they gave. They gave their community compassion, time, and energy. They gave all who knew them the inspiration to live with kindness and enthusiasm. They gave their children the assurance of their unconditional love and the tools to truly love others. Those children now say they feel very blessed to have had their parents for as long as they did.

Barb and Joe passed away on Sunday, January 1, 2006, in Dawson, Georgia. They are survived by their children, Theresa Rose, Andrew Joseph, and Matthew James. Barb is survived by her sisters, Jan Roberts, Pat Hall of Charleston, South Carolina, Nancy Ulicki of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Kate Lewis of Longrove, Illinois. Joe is survived by his mother, Betty Jean; his sisters, Beth Ann, Mary Clayton of Richardson, Texas, Annie Drake, Suzanne Hewitt, and Carolyn Friedman; and his brothers, William J., George, Jim, John, and Tom.

Family and friends will gather on Monday, January 9, from 4 - 8 p.m. in the Leppert Life Story Funeral Home, Nora Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Pius X Catholic Church on Tuesday, January 10, at 11:00 a.m. Please visit Barb and Joe's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory or make a memorial contribution to the Joseph and Barbara Krier Children's Trust Fund.