She is survived by her two children, Debbie Larrick (Logan) and Andrew Racer; two grandchildren, Tiffany Kabes and Danny Kabes; one sister, Linda Jorgenson (Dale); three half-brothers, William Olson, Michael Olson (Kathy Levine) and David Olson, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and many other family members and friends.
She is preceded in death by her father, Richard Abbott Wilson; stepfather, Walter Arthur Olson; mother, Laurel Mae Olson; and former husband, Dennis Mark Racer.
Barbara was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on November 21, 1946. Her parents were Laurel Mae Wilson (née Thompson) and Richard Abbott Wilson. The family of three moved to Seattle, WA where her sister, Linda, was born in 1948. Later that same year, her father Richard was presumed to have died along with 16 others when the small passenger plane he was co-piloting went missing somewhere in the Pacific northwest and was never found. With Laurel now widowed and Barbara and her sister fatherless, they moved back to St. Paul to live closer to other family members.
In 1956 Walter Olson married Laurel and adopted Barbara and Linda; and soon, three brothers were added to the family. William in 1957, Michael in 1959 and David in 1966. The family lived on the east side of St. Paul, MN.
Barbara graduated from St. Paul Johnson High School in June of 1964 and then enrolled in courses at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. In 1965 she enlisted in the U.S. Army and served at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where she met the man who would become her husband, Dennis Racer.
Barbara and Dennis were married in St. Paul, Minnesota on July 1, 1967, and had two children together (Debbie in 1972 and Andrew in 1975). They lived in Isanti, MN for most of their married life and divorced in 1995.
Barbara was a stay-at-home mom while her children were young and later was employed as an administrative support staff person for the Billy Graham Institute in Minneapolis, MN and worked there for many years.
Around 2008 she moved to Columbia, South Carolina where she lived until her passing in 2023. Her greatest joy during her time in Columbia came from her sincere belief in Christ’s teachings and experiencing the loving fellowship she found at Hope Church Columbia.
Barbara treasured her vast collection of religious music, lectures and sermons from numerous preachers, pastors and singers; and she listened to them seemingly non-stop. If anyone wanted to bring a smile to her face or needed to calm her when she became upset or agitated, her caregivers were encouraged to play some praise music! She called it her “happy sappy” music.
The family wishes to express its deep gratitude and appreciation for the kindness, generosity, and professional care from Barbara’s long list of caregivers and friends. We sincerely thank the people at Carolina Gardens, Harbison Shores, Prisma Hospital, NHC Parklane, the congregation, pastor Denny and so many others at Hope Church Columbia with very special acknowledgment of Ruth, Barbara’s best friend and absolute living angel.
A visitation will be held at Dunbar Funeral Home on Thursday January 11, 2024 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. The address is 7600 Woodrow St, Irmo, S.C., 29063.
A memorial service and celebration of Barbara’s life will take place at Hope Church Columbia from 11:00 - 12:00 pm on Friday. There will be a light lunch immediately following the service. The address is 2609 Seminole Rd, Columbia, S.C., 29210.
A record of the memorial service will be available after January 13, 2024 by logging onto the Hope Church Columbia website and clicking on the LIVESTREAM & SERMONS link. Hope Church Columbia https://www.hopechurchcola.org
Internment is scheduled at 2:00 pm on Friday, January 12, 2024 at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. Barbara will be laid to rest with full military honors in recognition of her military service during the Viet Nam war era. The cemetery address is 4170 Percival Rd, Columbia, S.C., 29229.
The family requests that memorial gifts be directed to Hope Church Columbia, 2609 Seminole Rd., Columbia, S.C. 29210.
~ Irish Blessing ~
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
SHARE OBITUARYSHARE
v.1.11.5