Barbara "Barb" Ward-Doherty, 84, died Tuesday, March 13, 2012, at the Brookings Hospital with her family at her side. Funeral Mass will be conducted at 10:30 A.M. on Friday, March 16, 2012, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Brookings. Visitations will be from 4:30 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings with a wake service at 7:00 P.M. A private family burial will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery in Bryant, South Dakota. Barbara Ann Ward-Doherty was born on June 25, 1927, to Edward Ward and Dagmar (Andersen) Ward in Bryant, S.D. She grew up in Bryant where she attended grade school and high school. After high school Barbara attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and she eventually transferred to the College of Saint Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota. She graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and Biology. Upon graduation she began working for the American National Red Cross and was stationed at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Aurora, Colorado. While there, Barb met Richard Doherty (Dick) and they were married on May 25, 1954 in Bryant, South Dakota. During their lives together Dick, who was an officer in the US Army, and Barb were stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, Wildflecken, Germany, Fort Hood, Texas, St. Louis, Missouri, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Kaoshuing, Taiwan. In 1972 Dick retired and the family settled in Brookings. After settling in Brookings Barb furthered her education and received a Masters Degree in Counseling from South Dakota State University and a Doctoral Degree (E.Ed.) from the University of South Dakota in Counseling and Psychology. After receiving her Master's degree she received the honor of becoming the first woman counselor at SDSU. Barb transferred to the Department of Nursing and worked as an Assistant Professor until her retirement in 1990. Over her career as a Professor Barb was recognized as Teacher of the Year at SDSU on six different occasions. Barb was a great communicator and loved to help students achieve, both in the classroom and as an academic advisor. Barb was also a very active community member and served as a volunteer with the Brookings Municipal Utilities Board, the United Retirement Center Board, and the St. Thomas More financial committee and core building committee. She was an active member of the St. Thomas More Parish Council, taught CCD, and was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader in Brookings, Bryant, Germany, and Taiwan. Barb also was the Chair of the Chinese Army Orphanage while living on Taiwan. Barb is survived by their six children Brian E. Doherty (Kimberly) of Fort Pierre, Elizabeth A. Mazzotta (Larry) of Omaha, Nebraska, Dr. Carolyn M. Doherty-Fee (Michael) of Omaha, Nebraska, Mary M. Doherty of Omaha, Nebraska, Richard A. Doherty (Nicole) of Dallas, Texas, and Paul W. Doherty of Sioux Falls; thirteen grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and her sister, Dr. Carolyn E. DiPonio (Michael), of Grayling, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her husband Dick, her brothers Robert E. Ward (Jackie) of Estelline, Dr. John R. Ward (Sheryl) of Watertown, William A. Ward (Kathy) of Bryant, and Thomas M. Ward (Joy Carroll) of DeSmet.