Barbara Ann ShumateThunberg  Rodman

Birth: 8/22/1932

Death: 12/26/2007

Interred:  

Service Information: 
11:00 AM Thursday, January 3, 2008
The Masonic Center
455 North Street SE
Tumwater, WA 98501

Interment: 
Visitation Information:
 
Obituary:
 
Barbara Ann Shumate Thunberg Rodman

Barbara did not do anything just because it was expected or what others would do. She was her own person: strong and independent, a woman of integrity, intelligent, welcomed challenge and was not afraid to try things. She just handled things. She loved her family, extended family and friends.

We remember about Mom … sitting together making ornaments from festive paper for our Christmas tree and melting new wax, old candles and some of our crayons to make special candles. Her petite body did not stop her from confronting anyone who threatened her kids. She put together little theme parties for our birthdays and let us select the menu for our special dinner.

She drew house plans for fun. She worked with the architect on our family home in Yakima and on the homes that she and Teri had built later. We grew up counting the pops as the mason jars sealed with the fruits and vegetables that Mom canned. I remember two times that she very professionally recovered our living room furniture. She and Teri assembled furniture, split wood for the wood stove and generally were a terrific team in the homes they shared.

Mark found in his late teens that not only was she a great mother, but became a great friend. She was a confident and advisor who allowed Mark to find his own way.

For her 50th birthday, Mark, Linda and the kids took her to a big water park for the day. She tackled the largest slide first and after that, it was a race between her and Mark to see how many times they could go down the slide and how fast they could go. For her 55th birthday, she and Teri went white water rafting. She also talked Teri into going up with her in a hot air balloon – what a view – and into riding those roller coaster rides at Disneyland, generally sitting at or near the front. She loved the outdoors. There were many family camping and fishing trips. She kept herself physically fit with snow skiing, tennis, swimming and even gardening. She took us swimming together in Capitol Lake when we were kids. We hiked on our family rock hounding trips around the Pacific Northwest.

Barbara’s Shumate grandparents came to Olympia from Virginia to help establish the Brethren Church here in 1907. Grandpa Silas Shumate and the Shumate boys, who included Barb’s Dad, Bob, his 2 other brothers, Roy & Jim, and one brother-in-law, Bill Bolender, ran a truck transport business for the logging industry. During her early childhood, Barbara, her sister and her cousins lived together with their parents in logging camps. The women kept vegetable gardens, washed clothes in the streams and cooked together. They lived in the first mobile homes! In 1935, Barb’s Dad built the home they lived in when they weren’t in the logging camps. Barb and her sisters, and several friends, grew up in that home. In the late 1940’s, Grandpa Shumate and Sons opened a farm equipment and truck business in what is now the U-Haul building on Martin Way.

Mom’s parents were Robert Nathaniel Shumate (Bob) and Erma Kathryn (Baker) Shumate. They had a beautiful, loving marriage, raised 3 daughters – Barb is the oldest, followed by Marjorie and then Marilyn. Strong Christians, loving and caring people. You just couldn’t find better people than they were.

Mom graduated from Olympia High School at the age of 16 in 1949. She and our Dad were together for 20 years after their 1950 wedding. She went back to college after her kids were older and became a bookkeeper. She worked 17 years as a financial supervisor for DSHS.

Mom rode down to California with a truck driver friend to meet Teri for the camping, vacation trip to move Teri back to Yakima from San Diego. Her small size was perfect for the very little space remaining in Teri’s compact car. We camped, walked trails through the Redwoods, tasted wine as various wineries, saw as many sights as we could and explored the Oregon Caves before running out time to get back to Yakima for a big July 4th party. We had wonderful vacations together, enjoyed the same things – San Diego, Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, Florida and more. My Mom, My Best Friend.

The lights of her life (after Teri and Mark) were her grandchildren, Mark and Linda’s kids, Chad and Kristin. She loved the family celebrations or just get-togethers.

Then there are the beloved animals. Our Brittany, Cookie, was a constant companion for us all from rides in the car to going camping with us to sleeping on the couch when no one was looking. Mom had lots of cats when she lived in the country, including 2 Siamese named #1 and #2. Mom was a “numbers person”. Her mother fed feral cats on the back porch. Mom made warm beds for them and captured all that she could to take them to be neutered. Our own 3 kitties were all rescues. She loved her babies – Charlie Baby, Princess Dannie and her special boy, Mr. Toby Tobes. The neighborhood cats all knew where to come for a scratch and a pat, a handout and even a day of lounging in our house until their people came home.

Barb was a reader – mysteries and science fiction to lots of nonfiction directed at health and well-being. Mark and I would bring home comics from friends that we all sat and read together. We watched what we thought were scary shows. Over the last 20 years, we’ve shared our enjoyment of the performing arts – music, dancing, Cirque du Soleil.

She was the organizer for our homes and her Mom’s home, sorting, finding the right places for things, keeping our homes neat with everything in its place. Mom established budgets with us kids at an early age, took me grocery shopping for my wedding gift and helped me to establish budget guidelines to prepare me go out on my own. Mom taught me about nutrition and to eat vegetables without butter.

Barb loved a bargain. We shopped for sales and thoroughly enjoyed our “treasure hunting” at thrift stores and bazaars. Jigsaw puzzles were the main target for those trips. There was often a table up with puzzle pieces, a joy she shared with her sisters.

On the bright morning of December 26, 2007, with the sunshine sparkling on the snow, our beautiful Mom was released from Alzheimer’s Disease. At her side were her two children, daughter, Teri Thunberg, son, Mark Thunberg and daughter-in-law, Linda Thunberg.

Barbara was born in Olympia on August 22, 1932, to Bob and Erma Shumate. She was eldest of 3 daughters. Mom lived and worked in Yakima for about 30 years. Barb and Teri built and lived together in 2 different homes over the last 23 years. They lived in Tumwater these last 6 years, Bothell the preceding 14 years.

Mom is survived by loving family and friends including sisters Marjorie Leicht (Roy) of Olympia, Marilyn Perkins (Dick Arnold) of Federal Way; daughter Teri Thunberg of Tumwater; son & daughter-in-law, Mark and Linda Thunberg of Kent; grandchildren Chad Thunberg (Brianna) of Snohomish, Kristin Thunberg of Kent; great-grandchild, Lilianna Thunberg; dear friends Lois Gloyd (Stew) of Olympia and Ruby Bailey (Ron) of Shelton and many cousins, nieces and nephews and so many good friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

We love you, Mom.

Memorial contributions may be made in Barbara's name to the suggested organizations below:

Feline Friends
PO Box 27
Shelton, WA 98584
360-866-0599
www.feline.friends.net

Best Friends Animal Society
5001 Angel Canyon Rd.
Kanab, UT 84741-5000
www.bestfriends.org

Alzheimer's Association
National Office
255 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17
Chicago, IL 60601
www.alz.org

South Sound Alzheimer's Council
3430 Pacific Ave. SE #A-6
Olympia, WA 98506
www.southsoundalsheimerscouncil.org

Senior Services of South Sound
222 Columbus Street NW
Olympia, WA 98501

Providence SoundHomeCare & Hospice
PO Box 5008
Lacey, WA 98509

Guestbook Entries

Date: 4/7/2013 10:37:50 PM
From: Rick Lee
Message: I just learned of Barbara's passing today. Barbara was my first supervisor when I started with the Yakima DSHS office in 1984. We both came to work in Olympia in 1986. We were in the same unit for about a year. We would sometimes take our coffee breaks together. Barbara was a very intelligent woman. She would always speak her mind. You will be missed! Rest in peace.

Date: 3/18/2008 4:01:41 PM
From: Greg & Lacey Gargan
Message: Teri - We were in Mexico when you sent the news of loss. We will miss her. I so enjoyed your Mom's wit, humor and great smile. She will live on in our memories and hearts. Hugs - Lacey Teri - Sorry for your loss. I have many fond memories of Barb, from work and from our conversations over breakfast. You relationship with your mother was most inspiring. - Greg

Date: 2/3/2008 12:15:25 PM
From: Robbi Wilson
Message: Barbara was my supervisor and friend at DSHS. She was such a knowledgeable person, fun to work and very good at her job. All of us in Yakima missed her when she went to work in Olympia. Many of us kept in contact with her and always enjoyed those times that we could get together. Even though work brought us together, she turned out to be a very cherished friend. I am sad that Barbara is no longer with us, I am happy that she is no longer in the grasp of Alzheimer's Disease, the same disease that claimed my mother. Barbara will be missed, but not forgotten, by many.

Date: 1/23/2008 7:53:53 PM
From: Marilynn Ward
Message: My experience knowing Barb was while we both worked at Ennco Display in Redmond. She was the bookkeeper and I the interior designer. We became good friends and I will always value those times together. Barb taught me the meaning of securing my space and drawing my own ethical lines in various circumstances. These mirrored the guidelines that she secured in her life. We laughed and discussed life as a whole. Her strength of character was a guiding light for me and will continue to be. She will be missed. I will always remember her fondly and send the best of praise to you, Teri, for being a wonderful caregiver during the last few years.

Date: 1/17/2008 9:21:43 PM
From: Chris Rodriguez
Message: Dear Teri, I am thinking of you and all the memories I had with you and your mom at the Hampton. She is deeply missed. her corner of the dining room is empty without her being there. It was a joy and a pleasure to take care of your mother she will always be in my thoughts and prayers. Stop by and see us sometime. god bless.Chris

Date: 1/5/2008 5:55:29 PM
From: Linda Buerger
Message: Dear Teri, Thinking of you and all the memories you shared with your mom. The obituary was beautiful! You honored her to the end, and I know that must give you peace. I pray for continued comfort from the Holy Spirit as you adjust to life without her here on earth. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Date: 1/5/2008 10:41:41 AM
From: Lois Gloyd (again)
Message: Dear Teri and Mark & Linda: I have so much more to say, and I apologize that my brain and emotions failed me at the service. I was much more overwhelmed than I had anticipated. One of the first things I want to say about Barb is that she and Vern raised 2 most wonderful people in you two. She and Vern are and will always be very proud of how you turned out. No one could ask for better offspring than you are (and Linda is included as she has supported you both even though her health is not perfect.) Another thing I have to say is that I always thought Barb looked like Judy Garland, and she also could sing and dance like Judy. One thing I recall that confirms that is an assembly program when we were in 9th grade at Wa. Jr. High. She and Jerry VanDusen, another classmate, did a song and dance routine of "We're a Couple of Swells", complete with top hats and canes. It was great! Barb and I sang in the Church Choir for years together, and also in the chorus at Washington Jr. High. I loved to hear her play on the piano. One of my favorites that she did was "Pavonne", and also Chopin's "Polonaise". (I hope I remember that correctly as to composer.) Your memories of her daring-do, remind me of the times we swan at Patterson Lake (what it was called then, not Pattison), where we would take turns jumping and then diving off the high dive. There was at that time a very tall slide, that you could slide down on a wooden sled (for heaven's sake!). We did that so much that it became tame, so we started going down it backwards! And you realize that I'm sure there was no life guard on duty. We had so much freedon in those days! I found a picture in one of the Lacey Newsletters that shows that old slide. Another memory is our Church had a trip to Mt. Rainier, and we rented skis (not cross country, downhill) and it is in my memory that we started up near Paradise, and skied down a wooded trail to Longmire! I remember Jerry Wilson and a couple other kids we liked we had invited did it too. (Jerry liked Barb a lot, and he used to pull her under the water by the foot at the lake. He pulled me under too, and we both hated it! He was my first "boyfriend" in the 3rd and 4th grades!) I can't imagine we skied that far when we really did not know how, but we did! All the times at Church Camp (called Summer Assembly) we had so much fun. Barb and I liked to do the same things most of the time. We did not sleep in the cabins, we perfered to take our sleeping bags outside and sleep in the grass. We learned to dress and undress inside the mummy bags we slept in! After all, it was daylight when we woke up! And we really had fun swimming in that mountain cold river (American River), and we made this hole to swim in and we piled up rocks and put a plank on them, and then weighted it down, so we could dive in the river. It was great, but Don Ellis (a tall blond guy I thought was so cute) dove in and hit a rock and cut a gash on his head. I have picture of him leaning on Barb's shoulder with that bandage on. I really think the parents and counselers then made us stop diving, I'm not sure. And, you won't believe this! One of the times we were there it was still during WWII. And our Church being a "Peace Church", had a non-stop prayer vigil for peace. You went to this wooded bower-like place, alone, and for an hour prayed for peace. Barb and I both signed up to do it in the night. I can't recall exactly whether I followed Barb or she me, but there was a lantern, I think) that dimly lit the place. (I'm sure it wasn't candles, since it was in the woods.) It was a serious thing and we were serious about it. My brother was in the Navy at the time, and still a teenager, since he joined at 18 right after H.S. graduation. There were lots of adult counselers and teachers at these Assemblies that really spoke to us and our budding faith. I remember one time we visited you folks in Yakima, and Loren and Vern went bird hunting. Barb cooked the birds and we had fun eating them, and finding all this bird shot that we had to spit out. Guess we didn't get "lead poisoning" from that! All the camping trips we took together are wonderful memories. Barb and I always got along. I don't ever remember us not. I always looked up to her and her abilities in art and music, and like Ruby said, she was smart! We played lots of cards together, and later even bridge. We did like the same things. We both loved the exciting rides at the fair or carnivals. She, however, learned to play tennis, and I have never even tried. I loved to ride horses, and I'm not sure she did that, but almost everything else, we did together. Barb loved to dance, and I have pictures of her dancing with Loren at a party at our house on Lilly Rd. We played a lot of fun games at those parties, and we always had so much fun. I truly did and do love Barb, and her leaving leaves a huge void in my heart. As you 3 know, it was hell to watch her slowly leave us, and I guess I hardened my feelings a little so that it did not hurt so much until the day of her service. It truly overwhelmed me when I tried to express my memories, and I am so sorry for that. She and you deserved better. Just know I love you and treasure my time with Barb, Vern and you. Love, Lois

Date: 1/3/2008 11:24:03 AM
From: Sarah Minor and family
Message: I am really sorry I was unable to attend I truly loved Barbara and was honerd to be apart of her life. Terri and Barbara became apart of my family and we will always keep them close to my heart. Sarah Minor 915-7919 490-0952 cell

Date: 1/3/2008 10:21:27 AM
From: Eleen Hartley and family
Message: Teri our thoughts are prayers are with you today as you say farewell to your Mom and friend. Her body finally gave out, but her spirit and love will live on forever. Much love to you and your family. I am thinking of you and will be talking to you soon. Love, Eleen and family

Date: 1/3/2008 8:33:55 AM
From: Kyle Dorsey
Message: I remember as a kid how excited I always was to visit my aunt and uncles and cousins in Yakima. I liked the house with the stairs on both sides, and looked forward to maybe going hunting. I remember that Barb was always kind to me (as was everyone there). There are a few memories that stick in my mind, but for some reason I remember now and again the time I was sent ouside with a penut butter and jelly sandwich. I sat on the swing; one bite and about ten seoncds later I was flat on my face with a skinned knee and a fairly nasty looking sandwich. I figured that was the end of lunch, which I remember being far more distressing than the knee. Barb just made me another sandwich with no comments at all about my carelessness. In my mind that made her a good person. Barb was always kind to me when I spoke to her in later years, but I think it is the memories of my childhood that are most clear and by which I remember her.

Date: 1/3/2008 7:34:51 AM
From: Tina Basler
Message: 1/3/08 Teri - You and your mom are especially on my mind today as you do the final preparations for Barb's funeral. I know it will be beautiful! My thoughts and prayers today. Love you! T

Date: 1/2/2008 1:17:16 PM
From: Randi and Nancy Talistu and family
Message: As I said when I lost my mom (Nancy's) this past July, our human side reminds us how much pain we are feeling, but thankfully our spiritual side lets us feel the hope,peace and joy that your mom is experiencing now and that we too will know when we all join our loved ones in heaven. May God bless you and give you strength - Love to all -Nancy and Randi

Date: 1/1/2008 10:41:35 PM
From: Shaani Talistu
Message: We will miss you Barbara.Thanks for my wonderful cousins. God bless you Teri, I know how tough this is and I pray for you to remember the good times. Your Mom will be with you always, in your heart. When you miss her that's where you'll find her. I love you Terri, God bless you, Mark, and the family. Shaani

Date: 12/31/2007 10:09:15 AM
From: Lois Gloyd
Message: Barb: You know you were a very, very special person to me. We had so many wonderful times together. I feel like I always have known you, I can't remember when we first met. We were in Church together, sang in the choir for years together, went to Church Camp with your parents, skating parties with other Youth Groups of our Church all over the state, especially if one of the 2 of us was sorta sweet on a guy from another Church, were in each other's wedding party, had wedding showers, and baby showers for each other, had all sorts of pinochle parties in our homes together (we didn't have a lot of money in those days), New Year's Eve Parties at the Friendly Grove Hall for years, until it burned down (not at one of our parties), went camping together as families for years together, where our children became good friends. Loren and I visited you on 8th Street in Olympia, in University Place, in Part Angeles, in Yakima. Stew and I have picked up that same friendship and have enjoyed you and your family as well. Your Mom and Dad were always like another Mom and Dad to me, and your Grandparents Shumate, were pillars I admired in the Church that we belonged to, and your Grandpa Baker and I played many games of Crazy Eights together when you were practicing your piano. All your family, cousins Bette, Tiny, Nootie, Jiggs, and the twins, and Mardie, and Billy, etc, etc. (sorry if I have missed one) were all special to me as they were great persons, as you were and are. I dearly love you, Barb, and know you are now in a better existence. The "long goodbye" was hard on all, and you had such a wonderful daughter and son and daughter in law to take such great care of you, and to see that everywhere you were you received the very best. I treasure the memories I have of our times together. I can only hope and pray that I will be found to be acceptable to join you someday in that "better existence". Love, Lois

Date: 12/30/2007 10:46:32 AM
From: Tina Basler
Message: Barbara -- I thank you for the gift of your children. In you, I know heaven is celebrating the return of one of their beloved. We will miss you here, but look forward to seeing you again. Sending you love and prayers, Tina

Date: 12/30/2007 9:18:52 AM
From: Janet Stewart
Message: I will miss you, Barb.