Barbara Joanne Klug-Johnson

Barbara Joanne Eaton was born on June 10, 1931 in Hollywood, California. She was the only child of Lenora Sneesby and Livingston Eaton and very much the apple of their eye. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to the home of her maternal grandparents in West Seattle. This was during the depression and an extended family of cousins and relatives lived together in a large home overlooking the Puget Sound. During WWII, the family moved to Portland where her parents worked for the war effort in the shipyards and Barbara attended elementary school at St. Mary’s Academy. She graduated from Lincoln High School in Portland in 1950.

As a young working woman, Barbara was a teletype operator for Consolidated Freightways. She enjoyed this work and was able to walk to the office from her home in NW Portland. During this time she was set up on a blind date via her good friend Lucille. This blind date was with her future husband, Bernard “Ben” Johnson. With friends they spent many fun summer days enjoying the beach at Seaside and skiing on Mt. Hood in the winter. They especially loved skiing the Glade Trail from Timberline to Government Camp as the last run of the day. Ben and Barbara were married in the First Presbyterian Church in 1954 and were blessed with three children; Kim, Susan and Eric. After ten years of marriage, Barbara and Ben divorced. A few years later she married her second husband, Robert Klug. Barbara and Bob shared a happy marriage until Bob died suddenly in 1982. Eventually, Barbara reconnected with her first husband Ben and they were remarried shortly before Ben passed away in 1989.

Barbara worked as a cafeteria manager for Portland Public Schools for almost twenty years. She worked hard and was a well-liked coworker and employee. In her retirement she travelled with her friend Lucille, exploring Turkey, Egypt, and Europe. She joined the Eagles Auxiliary Lodge 3256, where she was a member for over 30 years and held positions of President and Treasurer.

Barbara had a good life that was filled with friends, a loving family and countless good times. She loved to do crossword puzzles, read historical novels, and work in the garden. Barbara could be considered an eccentric, and always chose to do things in her own way, even if that seemed to be unusual or against the norm.

Barbara is survived by her son Kim Johnson, daughter Susan Klarquist (Steve), and son Eric Johnson (Janet Kayser). She also leaves behind her granddaughter Erika Johnson and step-granddaughters Ashely and Madison Kayser.

The family would like to thank Kaiser Hospice for their help and support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oregon Humane Society or Doernbechers Children’s Hospital.

A celebration of her life is planned for Tuesday, March 15 at 1pm at Gateway Little Chapel of the Chimes.