Barbara Ann Schellert passed away in her sleep on July 5, 2021. She was 82 years old. Barbara was born July 27, 1938 in Fargo, North Dakota to Emeline and Ken Colby. She was raised in a Christian family on the family farm helping with chores including serving meals to the workers. During World War II the family including mother, 2 aunts and her 3 siblings, Beverly, Elizabeth and Bruce, moved to Washington to help build airplanes at Boeing for the war effort. After the war Barb’s mother remarried Donald Simpson and grew their family adding sister Susan Simpson and brother Michael Simpson.
Barbara grew up in the Issaquah School District and graduated as a proud member of the Class of 1956. She enjoyed her many friends and classmates, and celebrated her selection as a Princess for the 1955 Sea Fair parade.
Farm girl meets City boy… when Barbara was working at Bartell Drug in downtown Renton she met a recent Army veteran Henry Schellert. She told her mother that night that she just met the man she would marry. They were married for 65 years and raised 3 children, David, Kimberly and Dean while living in the greater Renton area.
Barbara was strong willed and full of life. She was happy to serve family and friends including teaching Sunday school at St Matthews Lutheran church, hosting a Japanese exchange student, active member of Renton Lady Lions club, served on the Renton Planning Commission and was elected President of the Washington State Planning Association. She became interested in politics and was the local area campaign manager for Dan Evans for Governor.
Through the years Barbara greatly enjoyed catching fish with family including Steelhead on the Cedar River, Sockeye salmon from Lake Washington and King Salmon in Alaska. Her personal achievement was a 127lb Halibut, the largest catch for her family.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Beverly Chase and her brothers Bruce Simpson and Michael Simpson. Barbara is survived by husband Henry, 3 children, David, Kimberly (Roberts) and Dean, 6 Grand Children, 7 Great Grand Children and her sisters Elizabeth House (Renton) and Susan Collins (Casa Grande, AZ).
The family will have a “Celebration of Life” for Barbara their beautiful loving matriarch, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, great aunt, sister-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews on Tuesday July 27, 2021 @ 1pm with reception following @ 2pm at Greenwood Memorial Park 350 Monroe Ave NE, Renton, WA 98056, tel 425 255-1511, www.GreenwoodMemPark.com
Floral Management for service by Cugini Florists 413 S 3rd St Renton, WA 98067 Tel: 425-255-3900 or 1-800-733-3901 www.cugini.com
Barbara lived a full life so please read her full obituary at www.dignitymemorial.com
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