Barbara Joan Gould, 98

Barbara Joan Gould, 98, passed away peacefully on May 18, 2026, in Billings.

Barbara was born July 6, 1927, in Warroad, Minnesota, to Fred and Harriet Schultz. She grew up in Warroad as the middle of five children, with two older sisters, Ruth Marie and Dorothy, and two younger brothers, Fred and Jerry.

Barbara graduated in 1948 as a physical therapist during the height of the polio epidemic. She worked across the southern United States and the East Coast in hospitals affiliated with the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (NFIP), helping treat patients in one of the most critical public health crises of her generation.

On Aug. 5, 1950, Barbara married Dr. George Gould in Chicago, Illinois, while he completed his medical residency. The couple began their life together in Mammoth Hot Springs, Montana, before settling in Kalispell in 1955, where they established their home and raised their family.

Barbara and George raised eight children, creating a lively, active household centered on family, music and a deep appreciation for the outdoors. She was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Matthew's parish for over 70 years. She insisted all of her children play musical instruments and had them practice each morning before school, while she prepared breakfast. She placed a strong emphasis on learning and encouraged all her children to pursue higher education.

Barbara was a force of nature — independent, energetic and deeply engaged in the world around her. She was honored as Mrs. Montana in 1969, reflecting her strong presence in the community. She was a gifted athlete and outdoorswoman, enjoying downhill and cross‑country skiing well into her 70s, hiking throughout Glacier National Park, the Jewel Basin and the Bob Marshall Wilderness, golfing and hunting. She spent summers with her family at their Flathead Lake cabin, where she taught her children how to use a chainsaw, split firewood, swim, boat, and love the outdoors.

She was also deeply involved in her community and creative pursuits. As a young woman, she was a baton twirler, and later she participated in local theater productions, enjoyed the Bigfork Playhouse and the community symphony, and taught aerobics classes to her friends. She loved to travel and was a member of Friendship Force and Elderhostel, which took her to Japan, Russia, Norway and many other destinations.

Barbara was known for her ability to bring people together. She was an excellent cook who loved to entertain, filling her home — and summers by the lake — with friends and laughter. She enjoyed gardening and preserving food, spending summers canning vegetables and fruit, making pickles, cherries, and applesauce. She also made braided rugs with her mother, many of which are still in use in the homes of her children today.

Throughout her life, Barbara cared deeply for others. She was devoted to her family and also served as a caretaker for her mother, and in later years, her husband.

Barbara is survived by seven of her eight children: Tom Gould of Anchorage; Joan (Bud) Thullbery of Billings; Pat (Joanne) Gould of Fort Benton; John (Lia Furcha) Gould of Albuquerque; Chris Gould of Sacramento; Tim (Jodi) Gould of Anchorage; and Greg Gould of Boise. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and nine great‑grandchildren, of whom she was endlessly proud.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings; her beloved husband, Dr. George Gould, with whom she shared 61 years of marriage; her son, Dan Gould; and her grandsons, Jeff Gould and Nathan Gould.

Barbara spent her final years in Billings, near her daughter, after leaving the Flathead Valley in 2022. She joined the St. Bernard parish for those final years and lived a long, full life defined by strength, independence, curiosity, inspiration and a deep love for her family.

She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Kalispell on Sept. 25 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Conrad Memorial Cemetery. A celebration of Barbara’s life will follow the burial and be held at the family cabin on Flathead Lake near Bigfork.