Barbara Jean Burdick Evans
1932-2017
| Barbara was born in Iowa City, Iowa on June 3, 1932. She died at the age of 84 in Long Beach, CA on Wednesday, January 11, 2017. She is survived by her three children, Steve, Lori and Robert.
Barbara grew up in the Ranshaw House in North Liberty, Iowa with her father Lyman Coleman Burdick, mother Emma, sister Margaret and brother Bud, who all pre-deceased her. She spent most of her youth, however, and college years living in Iowa City where she was born. She was in the 4-H, played in the City High School marching band and played the bagpipes as a Highlander. She always loved a good marching band! She later attended the University of Iowa and went on to earn a nursing degree and became an RN—and of course a passionate Iowa Hawkeyes fan! She married John Evans in 1953 and had three children, Steve, Lori and Bob. She gave up nursing so she could be a devoted wife and amazing mother. The family moved to Upland, California in 1963 where she spent the rest of her life. She loved Upland and was “Mom” to all the neighborhood kids mending many scuffs and scrapes. When her husband John died unexpectedly in 1966, she went back to work and spent the next 30 years as a Public Health Nurse working for the County of San Bernardino.
After Barbara retired in 1991, she began her new life as Volunteer Extraordinaire! She joined the American Association of University Women where she helped raise money for the Tech Trek and scholarship programs. As a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution she developed a love for history and genealogy and spent many happy days roving through America’s cemeteries with her sister looking for their lost ancestors. She volunteered at Ontario International Airport as a Traveler’s Aid devoting countless very happy hours helping passengers find their way. Another passion was the Salvation Army where she sat on the board and helped raise money that included ringing the iconic red kettle bell. She loved to travel with the Upland Travelers Club and her family. On her many adventures she was able to visit places in most of the United States and Europe. When she wasn’t working, volunteering, traveling or spending time with family, she was playing bridge with her friends, working in her beautiful garden or watching her beloved Los Angeles Lakers and Anaheim Angels.
Barbara was an amazing woman. She was hard working, generous, a dedicated friend, enthusiastic people person, and devoted mother. She loved her children with all her heart and they loved her back just as much. They will miss her desperately.
A memorial visitation will be held Tuesday, January 17, 2017 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the McKenzie Mortuary located at 3843 East Anaheim Street, Long Beach, CA 90804. A Celebration of Life will be held later this year at her home in Upland, California.
In lieu of flowers, Barbara would have been thrilled for you to support the organizations she loved including the University of Iowa Nursing Progress Fund, spcaLA, Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden and the Ranshaw House Renovation.
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