Barbara I. Schwartzkopf

Our wife, mother, grandma and "GG," Barbara Ilene Schwartzkopf, passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2015, as a result of injuries she received after being struck by an all-terrain vehicle May 30. She was doing one of the things she loved most: being in the mountains and riding with her husband on their ATV quad. She definitely had a love for being the adventurous one!

Barbara was born 76 years ago to Ralph Wheeler and Eda Marie (Dammon) Mehl on March 30, 1939, in Lewiston. She was the middle daughter of Ralph and Eda. The Mehl family lived in Lewiston, Hermiston, Ore., Redondo Beach, Calif., Pasco and then moved back to Lewiston.

Barbara met the love of her life, Charles (Bud) Schwartzkopf, in Orofino in 1955. They began dating in 1956 after Bud moved to Lewiston. In December 1956, Bud proposed to Barb by asking her "if she would like to write his last name for the rest of her life." Bud and Barb were married in a garden wedding on July 6, 1957, in Lewiston. They lived in West Seattle for the first three and a half years of their marriage. Bud and Barb have two daughters, Cindy and Terri, who they raised in Lewiston.

Barbara started working at a dry cleaner business for DECA while still attending high school. She then began her working career in the office at Twin City Foods in Lewiston. The majority of her career was spent working for the Teamsters Union for more than 15 years. Barbara also worked for Nick's Welding and Potlatch Corp. She retired in 1994 at the age of 52.

Barbara enjoyed working as a volunteer for the city of Lewiston voting sites during elections after her retirement. Bud and Barb spent the first few winters of their retirement in Arizona, but realized that spending that much time away from their children and grandchildren, especially during the holidays, was not what they wanted to do long term. Family was a very important part of Barb's life! She will be especially remembered as always being willing to help out family and friends whenever she could at a moment's notice. She had a love of people and never knew anyone as a stranger!

Barbara had many joys in her life, including camping, boating, four-wheeling, playing card games with friends, working on crafts and attending card-making classes. She hand-made beautiful note cards that she gave as gifts and sent to friends and family on birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. And she loved watching her soap operas! One of the biggest joys, though, were her six grandchildren. She loved being part of their lives and spent numerous hours sitting through tennis matches, basketball, baseball, football and soccer games. She was also "GG" to her three young great-grandchildren.

Barb had 58 wonderful years of married life with Bud that were full of adventures, and he survives her at their family home, along with their beloved dog Rocko. Also surviving Barbara are her daughters, Cindy O'Harra (Larry Kom) in Lewiston and Terri Richards (Dave) in Moscow; sisters Verla Thrall (Ron) and Sandra Roberts (Max); grandchildren Chad Spears, Sarah Klein, Taylor O'Harra (Ashleigh Reller), Amanda Parkins (Lane), Drew O'Harra and Blaine O'Harra. Barbara has three beautiful great-granddaughters, Tabby Holum, Teagan O'Harra and Baileigh Parkins. Barbara is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as great-nieces and nephews.

Welcoming her into heaven are her parents, Ralph and Eda; mother-in-law Beulah Schwartzkopf; and father-in-law Ralph Schwartzkopf.

A service celebrating Barbara's life will be held at 4:30 p.m. Monday at Congregational-Presbyterian Church, 709 Sixth St., Lewiston. Taken too soon from us, her family will greatly miss her! Barb's family invites you to join them for her celebration of life and dinner following.

Malcom's Brower-Wann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mom's name to a favorite charity or Life Flight Network.