Barbara K. Burch, 64
Barbara K. Burch, age 64, passed away very unexpectedly on the evening of March 29 from a pulmonary embolism.
Barbara Lynn Kaiser was born in Dubuque, Iowa to Sally and William Kaiser on Jan. 12, 1956. As the daughter of a Navy Chaplain, Barb and her family moved to Japan and various states in the USA before finally settling in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she graduated from high school in 1974. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Montana State University.
She first came to Montana in 1976 when she took a singing waitress position at the Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier National Park. Her beautiful voice and musical talents were showcased in both her daily work as well as special performances for the guests in the evenings. She fell in love with the mountains of Montana and this became a turning point in her life.
She enjoyed spending time around the Many Glacier boat dock where she met Scott Burch. They were married in the fall of 1984, spending summers in and around Glacier as she and Scott eventually became owners of the Glacier Park Boat Company. Their children, Sam and Sara, made their love complete. Family was important above all else. Barb also made life-long friends in all her circles whether that was Glacier National Park, choir, the “Helena Flats Moms,” North Valley Hospital, her card playing gals or the Boat Company.
Beyond her duties as an owner of the Glacier Park Boat Company, Barb worked as a nurse at North Valley Hospital in Whitefish for 36 years. She loved her job and it was perfectly suited to her caring, gentle nature. She continued to be passionate about music and was a long-time member of the Glacier Chorale, often featured in solos given her beautiful voice.
Glacier National Park was always central to her life as it was where she met Scott and the entire Burch clan, and where she raised her family.
Barb’s world-renowned hugs were a gift to countless recipients – whether she knew you well or not. Her generosity of spirit, warmth and kindness were unsurpassed. The light she brought into this world will be immeasurably missed by all she touched.
She is survived by her husband Scott Burch, their two children Sam and Sara, her sister Karen Kaiser and the numerous other family and friends who hold her dear to their heart.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
A viewing will be held for Barb from 1:30 to 6 p.m. on April 9 at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home asks funeral attendees to abide by social distancing.
Ten people will be allowed into the viewing at a time. Please be patient and allow appropriate time to attend. A celebration of life for Barb will be held on a later date.