Barbara Lee Spykstra

Born on August 24, 1931, in Palmer, Nebraska, Barbara carried a lifelong appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. She was an amateur artist who found peace in oil painting, capturing the majesty of mountain scenes and the serenity of nature on her canvases. Her family will fondly remember our Sunday drives through the mountains—a simple joy that combined her love for the landscape with time spent with those she held dear.

In the kitchen, Barbara was known for her warmth and whimsy. She was a gifted cook and baker whose "cut-up animal" birthday cakes became a cherished tradition, bringing smiles to her children's faces. When she wasn't painting or baking, she was often found with a book in hand, an avid and lifelong reader and a master of crossword puzzles.

Above all, Barbara was a woman of steadfast devotion to the Lord. She placed great importance on the spiritual foundation of her family, ensuring they attended weekly Sunday School and church at Lakewood Baptist Church. The rhythm of her home was set by her faith; reading the Bible and Our Daily Bread before supper was a cornerstone of her daily life, reflecting her desire to keep Christ at the center of her family.

Barbara is survived by her half-sister and family, four children, nine grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Her presence will be profoundly missed, but her influence will continue to be felt through the many lives she touched and the family she loved so dearly.

Services for Barbara will be held on May 15, 2026, at Olinger Mortuary, 7777 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033, at 1:00 p.m. with a reception from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. to follow.

A live stream link of Barbara’s service will be available on the day of the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Barbara’s name to Samaritan’s Purse.