Barbara Ann Lawrence

Barbara Ann Lawrence passed away on October 19th, 2021
Barbara was born in Paris, Texas on September 19,1932. the only child of Karl and
Luciel Knecht. Left to her own devices as a child, Barbara would fix her breakfast and
get herself to the Catholic Elementary School she attended. She graduated from
Longview High School and then earned a nursing certificate from Parkland Hospital in
Dallas.
Barbara loved Big Band music and in 1952 she met trombone player Don Lawrence.
Their first date was to a Billy May concert. Barbara was so excited about going to the
concert that she neglected to tell Don that she had her appendix removed just two days
earlier. They were married six weeks later on December 29th, 1952. They remained
married for 69 years until Barbara’s death.
Barbara and Don moved to Missoula, Montana where their first child, son David, was
born in 1956. In 1959 Don took a job teaching music in Columbia Falls and there they
have remained ever since. The family was complete when daughter Rebecca (Becky)
was born in November 1961.
Barbara loved being a stay at home mom and raising her kids. She loved animals and
working in the yard. She endured much teasing from the family every spring when she
meticulously plucked every maple seed out of the garden. She liked to cook, and made
the best German potato salad on the planet.
Barbara was a member of the United Methodist Church. She was also an active
member and Past President of the BI,P.E.O. chapter
In 1980 Don took a one year job teaching in Germany. Don and Barbara loved being in
Germany and when Don retired they went back many times with Don’s brother Paul and
his wife, also a Barbara.
“The Barbaras” , as everyone called them, had the same middle name and the same
birthday. The two of them danced together at every Oktoberfest while their husband’s
played in the band. Their favorite dance was a schottische.
Barbara loved music and dancing. She took tap dancing lessons and she was a
dedicated member of the Columbia Falls Community Choir - the kind that goes home
and practices! She was always supportive of Don in his pursuit of music. He credits her
with his musical success and says he could not have done it without her.
Barbara was preceded in death by her son David and her son-in-law Randy Bekkedahl.
She is survived by her husband Don and their daughter Rebecca.
There will be a visitation at the United Methodist Church at 1017 2nd St W in Columbia
Falls on Friday November 5th from 5-7pm.
A memorial will be held at Columbia Mortuary at 1010 4th Ave W in Columbia Falls on
Saturday November 6th at 2pm.

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