Barbara Jean Berntgen, Oakesdale resident, passed away Thursday, October 1, 2026 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was 81. A Celebration of Life will be held later this fall.

Barbara was born May 21, 1945 in Spokane, Washington to Fred and Frances Chase Zimmerman. She grew up on a farm near Oakesdale along with her brother, Richard, who was five years younger. She graduated from Oakesdale High School in 1963 and then attended nursing school in Spokane. A bit later she decided nursing wasn’t going to be for her and she transferred to beauty school. While in Spokane; Barbara met a young man who was in the Army at Fairchild Air Force Base and a few months later they were married. She married Keith Berntgen in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on December 23, 1964. They made their home for a year in Wisconsin while Keith’s dad was ill and their first child was born there. Keith and Barbara moved back to Oakesdale and she settled into a busy role as homemaker and mother. She loved being a wife and mother and she took absolutely the best care of her children. Barbara always had a generous and giving spirit.

After her kids were in high school; Barbara began working for other area women in town cleaning their houses. She later worked as a caregiver at The Courtyard Assisted Living in Colfax. Keith was a truck driver and she thoroughly enjoyed riding with him on his routes and seeing the countryside with him. They teamed up like this for nearly twenty years. Together they enjoyed fishing and camping. She was a member of the Oakesdale Grange, was a Rainbow Girls Mom, and also served as the secretary for the Oakesdale fire department for numerous years. She loved to crochet and play Bingo or card games. Barbara was an excellent cook too.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Keith, at their Oakesdale home; 3 children, Sherri (Donald) Larsen, Oakesdale, Darin Berntgen, Cataldo, Idaho, and Heidi (Jim) Doneen, Oakesdale; by 8 grandchildren of whom she was so proud; Brianna, Danielle (Isaac), Brian, Haylee (Bean), Jarred (Justice), Cory (Emily), Dylan (Kristin), and Nicholas (Samantha) as well as 7 great-grandchildren, a “bonus daughter” Kellie Harnois, by her brother, Richard (Julie) Zimmerman of Oakesdale, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents.

In place of flowers, the family would like donations be made to the Oakesdale Fire Department. Corbeill Funeral Home of Colfax is caring for the family. www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com