Barbara Colerus, 98, a loving mom, mother-in-law, and grandma, peacefully passed away on January 17, 2025 in Redlands, California.

She was born July 19, 1926 to Edward and Rachael Yost in Detroit, Michigan. In 1947 she married Jerome (Jerry) Colerus and they went on to have two children, daughter Gretchen and son, Keith (Butch).

In 1954 they moved to Glendora, California, where Barbara worked for Avery Label. In the early 60s, Jerry and Barbara were one of the original River Rats, water skiing every weekend in Parker, AZ. They later discovered the more quiet, less populated Lower Colorado River, south of Blythe, around Skip's Camp.

In 1964, they moved just north of Palo Verde, and Barbara went to work for the Palo Verde Unified School District as an elementary school secretary. First at Ripley Elementary until it closed, and then to Appleby Elementary, until she retired in 1986.

Jerry and Barbara spent their summers traveling across the US, from Washington state to Martha's Vineyard. In the early 80s they eventually had a summer trailer at Bowery Haven, Fish Lake, Utah where they enjoyed the cooler weather.

After Jerry passed, Barbara remained active and continued going to Fish Lake. She enjoyed going to lunch with the Palo Verde Ladies and the Tuesday Lunch Ladies until she moved to Redlands Assisted Living, where Amanda and her wonderful staff took great care of her in her final years.

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Jerome, her sister Virginia, son-in-law Hugh Lee Scott, and grandson Stephen Scott.

Barbara will be dearly missed by her daughter Gretchen Scott, son Keith (Sue) Colerus, grandchildren Diane Scott, Michael (Jennifer) Scott, Ryan Colerus, and Travis Colerus. Great-Grandchildren Kamron, Aaron, and Dominique, Great-Great Grandchildren Alizae (Henry), Isabella, and Oliver, her extended family, and friends.

Graveside services for Barbara will be held at Palo Verde Cemetery on Monday, February 3rd, at 10am.