While growing up on a Hardin farm, it wasn’t difficult for Ray Countian Barbara (Barb) Nolker to develop grit, hard work ethic and determination. After working nearly 25 years as a customer service representative at Missouri Farm Bureau Insurance, Barb has decided it’s time to retire. The decision to retire was a defeat in itself because she said she loves what she does. “It’s really hard leaving good people and a good company,” said Barb. Barb has helped out on the farm her parents, Welmon and Annabel Letzig, owned. She and her siblings, the late Virginia Miller (1941-2023) and Frazer Letzig, all grew up sharing time on the farm. Barb said she can still remember hoeing weeds out of the bean fields on their farm, hands in the earth. Barb graduated from Hardin-Central High School in 1969 and soon after, married her husband Mike Nolker, who served in the Vietnam War. Once he was discharged, Barb went to work at Ray County Hospital. At the young age of 48, Barb decided to retire…