Barbara June Toft, 89

Barbara June Toft, 89, from Liberty Lake, Washington, passed away March 18, 2018, at the Guardian Angel senior residence.

She was born in Sidney, Montana, on June 7, 1928, to Adolph and Kari Strand. After graduation from Richland County High School, she attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota.

After three years of college, she returned to Sidney and taught school. It was then that she reconnected with her favorite high school sweetheart, Richard Toft. After a short courtship, they were married in Sidney on April 6, 1951.

Within a few years, Richard was transferred to the Kalispell area. They settled on a small farm in Evergreen. The farm served as a wonderful homemaker’s dream property. Nestled in the valley below the majestic Rocky Mountains, Barbara raised all four of her children among flourishing gardens, apple trees, green pastures and wheat fields. She often said, “It was the most beautiful place on earth.” Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Toft; her son, Russell; her parents Adolph and Kari Strand; and four siblings, Archie Strand, Grethe Murphy, Audrey Ruffato and Leonard Strand. She is survived by her children, Kenneth Toft (Patty) of Spokane, Judith Mackin (Pat) of Rapid City, South Dakota, and Beverly Toft of Missoula; her sister, Merle Burgess, of Portland; seven grandchildren, David Toft (Sarah) of Spokane, Matthew Mackin of Missoula, Erin Mackin of Los Angeles, Cory Mackin of Missoula, Emilee McDowell (Robert) of Spokane, and Joe Toft of Spokane; and five great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 23, at Calvary Lutheran Church.