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Barbara Elaine Rederick, age 86, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 15, 2018, at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, Washington. From her birth on June 14, 1932 to George W. Steyer and Lucy Porterfield in Confluence, Pennsylvania, to her passing she nourished people around her with unconditional love, faith and compassion. Barbara was preceded in death by her loving husband Eugene.
Barbara Elaine Steyer married Eugene E. Rederick on October 24, 1948, in Accident, Maryland. The young couple embarked on a cross-country adventure leaving behind their childhood farm homes to settle in the West. Together they had three children while Eugene built a successful career working construction on Hoover Dam in Nevada, Glen Canyon Dam in Arizona and finally Grand Coulee Dam in Washington. Barbara devoutly kept the home fires burning while raising their three children and earning her AA as a hospital dietician. The couple spent their later years in Grand Coulee Dam until Eugene's passing. Barbara then sold the family home and moved to Spokane, Washington.
Barbara truly lived her life to the fullest through simple pleasures; playing the piano (Amazing Grace was her favorite song), dancing the Polka with Eugene on Saturday night dates and lovingly caring for the many pets she welcomed into her home.
Left to honor Barbara and remember her love are Barbara's three children: Linda Sue Albert, Bud (Wanda) Rederick, and Lori Jean (Steve) Rederick-Beaty; five grandchildren: Nicholas (Courtnie) Rederick, Melissa (Mike) Nettleingham, Matthew Steven Beaty, Randi Lynn Rederick and Tessa Rederick; and seven great-grandchildren: Connor Rederick, Carson Rederick, Caleb Rederick, Kiley Heizer, Kholee Heizer, Kolby Heizer and Ava Madelyn Nettleingham. Barbara's greatest joy in life was to be surrounded by this loving and lively group. She baked thousands of cookies throughout her life for family gatherings knowing that the cookies would always be eaten first before any conversations or greetings were shared.
Barbara's wishes were to be cremated and have her ashes scattered at Lake Wenatchee State Park along with her late husband Eugene's ashes. Barbara and Eugene spent many, many summers camping and enjoying fishing and the great outdoors so the family will gather together at
yet-to-be-determined date during the summer of 2019 to camp, eat and celebrate Barbara's life.
Barbara truly loved her pets and gave them the loving care she showered on her children. Friends and family wanting to remember Barbara are invited to visit the SpokAnimal website (SpokAnimal.org) to donate in Barbara's name.
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