Barbara Lee Koch Kern, age 87, of Portland, Oregon passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2023. Barbara was born in her family home in Newberg, Oregon to Samuel and Ruby Koch. Just two years later her family moved to Tualatin where she grew up on a dairy farm with her three siblings, Shirley, Lloyd and Kay.
Barbara attended Tualatin Grade School and graduated from Sherwood High School in 1954. During Barbara’s 4 years in high school, she was part of the cheerleading team. She also participated on the basketball team, volleyball team and was a member of the school band playing the clarinet. Barbara was actively involved in 4H throughout her life. She won many awards and championships at County and State fairs showing cows and pigs. Later in her 4H career, she became a mentor and a 4H leader teaching children cooking and sewing classes at Beaumont School. She was a member of the Tualatin Methodist Church until she transferred to the Fremont Methodist Church in Portland, Oregon. Barbara was a member of the Tualatin Historical Society.
She later met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) G Kern and they married November 7th, 1959. They enjoyed 63 years of marriage together. Bob and Barbara had three children, Sandra, Susan and Robert. When her children were young, she stayed home with them as a fulltime homemaker. Once their children become older, Barbara started working at Fabric Land and Fabric Depot over the next 15 years. She was a manager and then later worked at the tables cutting fabric so she could enjoy chatting with the customers. Barbara was creative, she sewed many beautiful wedding dresses, custom clothing for Bob, and sewed and created adaptive clothing for their grandson who has Cerebral Palsy and later for Shriners Children’s Hospital. Barbara had an incredible love for her grandchildren. Bob and Barbara devoted endless hours and cared for all the grandchildren during their school years growing up.
One of her favorite places to spend time was at their family cottage, which was nicknamed “Kern Kottage” and their Seaview Condominium in Rockaway Beach. Over the past 35 years she enjoyed watching sunsets, walking on the beach, visiting her friends at all the local coastal shops, spending time with her grandchildren and family. Another fun past-time was to take rides with Bob in either of their 1957-Chevs or the 1931 Ford to car shows and parades. Barbara’s favorite hobby was her love for fabrics and sewing and could never pass up going into a fabric store. Barbara sewed for many people and never charged for her incredible work. She sewed over 30 wedding and numerous bridesmaid dresses in her lifetime.
Barbara was preceded in death by her sister Shirley Koch-Disch and her spouse-Thomas.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Bob Kern; children Sandra L. Kern of Gresham, Susan L West-Vachter (Spouse-Jim) of Gresham and Robert L. Kern (Spouse-Keri) of Portland; siblings Lloyd Koch (Spouse-Helen) of St. Paul, Oregon and Kay Koch-Jett (Spouse-Clifford “Deceased”) of Rufus Oregon; grandchildren Nicholas J. West, Matthew J. Vachter, John L. Kern and Henry J. Kern; along with many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Barbara’s memory to Shriners Children’s Hospital or an organization of your choice.
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