Barbara Coffman

Barbara J. Coffman died September 6, 2016 in Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces, New Mexico at the age of 71. Barbara was born October 31, 1944, in Willmar, Minnesota to Robert E. and Velma M. Medinger. In 1962, Barbara married her beloved husband of 52 years, Les W. Coffman of Portales, New Mexico, and the couple settled in Las Cruces. Barbara attended New Mexico State University where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Administration degree in Accounting in 1973. She also earned her Certified Public Accounting (CPA) licensure that same year. After graduation, Barbara went to work as a CPA for Kriegel and Co., the largest CPA firm in Las Cruces at the time. After eight years with Kriegel and Co., she left to work part-time as the accountant for multiple construction companies, which allowed her to spend more time with her children during their busy junior high and high school years. In 1986, Barbara then took a position with the City of Las Cruces as the CPA in charge of Capital Fund Accounting, and then later as the Supervisor for the City's Community Development Department. She retired from the City of Las Cruces in 1995. Barbara was very active in the Las Cruces bowling community for the past 40+ years, enjoying the camaraderie and friendships as much as the bowling itself. She not only participated on multiple teams throughout the years, but served on various boards and committees at the local and state levels as well. She bowled in over 25 national tournaments and 27 state tournaments, and served as the local delegate to many of the national and state bowling conventions. In addition to bowling, Barbara also immensely enjoyed travelling with her family within the United States and Europe, which included a week-long cruise from London to New York on the Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate her and Les' 50th wedding anniversary. Barbara is survived by her daughter Laura J. Pavatt of Rio Rancho, NM, and husband Larry Pavatt; son Creig M. Coffman of Bennington, NE, and wife Anne Coffman, children Christian W. and Ethan J. Coffman; daughter Shelly Coffman-Nixon of Denver, CO, and child Cadel T. Nixon; sister Betty L. Stamper of Tucson, AZ, and husband Steve Stamper; brother Bob Medinger of Oceanside, CA, and wife Lisa Medinger; and sister-in-law Pamela N. Shafer of Clovis, NM, and husband Don Shafer. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Les W. Coffman of Las Cruces, NM; and sister, Carol D. France of Baton Rouge, LA, married to John France, currently of Las Cruces, NM. A visitation will be held Thursday, September 15, 2016, from 5 - 7 p.m. at Getz Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 16, 2016, at 1 p.m. at Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E. Bowman Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88001. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Mesilla Valley Hospice in Barbara's name. Service Information
Friday, September 16, 2016 1:00pm,
Getz Funeral Home Chapel

1410 E. Bowman Ave
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001






Interment Location

Masonic Cemetery

Address Not Available
Las Cruces, New Mexico