Barbara F. Weaver, 90
Barbara F. Weaver passed away on Oct. 2, 2024, at the age of 90, with family by her side. She was born in Reserve, Montana, to George and Joyce Bliss, joining her big sister, and best friend, Joyce. She grew up on her parents’ dairy farm just south of Kalispell. Barb sang alto in school and church, and learned to play the piano, which she did for several different groups. After graduating as a valedictorian from Flathead County High School, she went on to Eastern College, in Billings, studying business.
After meeting her future husband at a valley Grange Hall dance, she waited until he returned from the Korean war to get married. Even though she grew up on a dairy farm, moving to the ranch against the mountains seemed like going to the ends of the earth. She molded well into the farm life, raising a family of four, even though Dad said at first, she couldn't boil water, and she would shake her head in agreement. She made sure their children, Steve, Bruce, Jan and Brian had the best life ever. Great values were instilled in us, and for the most part we made good decisions which enabled us to roam the Deer Park area freely as long as we were home for dinner, which was always ready for us no matter what.
Christmas will be forever the happiest time in our lives, and for most of our cousins, hosted for many years by Mom and Dad. Our grandparents, cousins from across the mountains, Whitefish, Kalispell, or just down the road were always there. The house burst at the seams from all the fun and laughter. Mom cooked and organized a day of food for at least 35-40 people up until about 10 years ago.
She was not an athlete herself, but devoted her life to not only our sports, but most of the grandchildren's as well. Making sure we got to every practice and game or race. We could hear her cheering for us above all other parents. Throughout her life she loved watching bull riding, football, basketball and golf on TV. Summer and Winter Olympics were also a must see. Several grandchildren carry on this tradition today.
In midlife a gravel business was born out of the mountain side that had been our early playground. Working alongside her husband, countless loads of gravel were scheduled, weighed, and dispatched by radio by her, with handwritten invoices and envelopes sent out to every customer. She made lasting friendships with a lot of these customers as well.
In retirement years they spent 2-3 months midwinter in Gold Beach, Oregon, and at least one month in the summer, near Homer, Alaska, fishing King Salmon and Halibut, some of which Mom could hardly hold up. Traveling around the United States with friends and family also meant a lot to her. She would always make it a point of seeing other relatives, if they lived along the way.
Mom's biggest legacy, however, will be that throughout her life she made it a point of not only knowing your name, but who you were as an individual. Knowing who your kids were, who your grandkids were. Knowing every single birth date and marriage, which she could recite right up until the end. She was a great historian, not only by word but through hundreds of pictures and newspaper articles. Even if you weren't family, she loved getting to know you, and hearing about your family, making you feel like you were one of her own. Her door was always open. Now the door to heaven has opened up to her where she joins her husband Art. May they rest in peace.
A special thank you goes out to Prestige Assisted Living and their wonderful staff. Woodland Clinic's Sarah Robinson, M.D. and Elizabeth King, N.P., who took such great and devoted care of her for several years.
She was preceded in death by her husband Art, her parents George and Joyce Bliss, her brother-in-law Ron Radabah and granddaughter Jesi Lin.
She is survived by her children, Steve (Debbie) Weaver, Bruce (Roxann)Weaver, Jan (Wayne) Woods and Brian (Ginni) Weaver. She is also survived by her sister Joyce Radabah, as well as several nieces and nephews; 14 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, along with numerous other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Fairview Cemetery and Chapel. A luncheon will follow at Deer Park School.
