Barbara Lorraine Eystad, 88

Barbara Lorraine Eystad was born to Selma and Earl Robbins in Chinook, Montana, on June 2, 1934. She passed away peacefully at Logan Health in the presence of her youngest granddaughter on Dec. 26, 2022.

She is preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Lois and Lucille; as well as her husband, Jim; and favorite son-in-law, Ron Newton.

She is survived by Zina and Mike Druesdow, Kay and Tom Goulet, Layton and Debbie Brown, Willie and Carrie Eystad, Tani Newton and Earl Eystad, as well as 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Barbara married Bob Brown in 1951 in the Chinook area and had three children before divorcing in 1955. She was living in Great Falls and working at KRTV when she met Jim Eystad in 1961 who would become her husband of nearly 60 years. Together they had three more children and eventually found their way to the Flathead Valley where they raised their kids. She worked until her retirement as a clipper operator at Plum Creek’s Evergreen plywood plant. To keep herself out of trouble, she worked there several years after her retirement as a part-time member of the janitorial service.

Affectionately known by her family as “Babs,” Barbara enjoyed maintaining her geraniums year round and admiring her favorite peonies between hopping as many garage sales as possible. She loved to spend time keeping up with and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and she never missed a single holiday or birthday. Barb always made sure that anyone and everyone she encountered at her home, Super One or Costco, left with at least one loaf of banana bread in hand. Don’t be fooled, though. Her attitude was as big as her heart.

The family extends special thanks to Barbara’s neighbors Don and Mary, Theresa and Dino, and Pat Winkle for helping take care of her in more ways than one. Your time and love will always be appreciated and it most certainly helped achieve her goal of keeping her own home. More thanks to her nursing staff at Logan Health for their excellent care in her final days. A graveside service will be held in the spring for family and close friends.