Barbara M. (Ryan) Beaver age 93, died of old age at Renaissance Assisted Living in Helena on Sunday, April 27, 2014. Her dear friend, Violet was holding her hand as she passed away. Barbara was born in St. John’s Hospital, Helena on April 16, 1921 to the parents of Frank J. and Beulah M. (Woods) Ryan. She grew up during the “Roaring Twenties” and “The Great Depression” eras. While growing up on the best bobsledding hill ever (Rodney Street).
“We would walk up the Rodney Street hill, climb on our bobsleds and whoever was up front on the sled was the bell ringer to let the next sledders know we reached the tracks. We would be yelling and laughing so hard, we sometimes wet our pants from the excitement. It was the cold, wet walk up Rodney Street that wasn’t fun.”
While growing up on Rodney Street, Barbara met her best friend Eileen (Redd) Breed, they were a year old. Eileen was actually one year older and the wiser. She would tease her friend, Barbara who she named Bobi, “when I met you Bobi, you were still wet behind your ears”. They were inseparable, until August 1935 when Eileen was stricken with polio and quarantined. Bobi would sit outside Eileen’s bedroom window everyday to chat and read the funnies together. Due to Eileen needing braces and crutches to walk, the school advanced Barbara one year, so she could help Eileen and carry her books. In October 1935 after attending a school bonfire and a snake dance, the ground started to shake, houses and buildings started tumbling down. Helena suffered a devastating earthquake. The school collapsed, the students were schooled in 15 train cars for several years. Gradually a new high school was built and they became the first freshman graduating class. Barbara was so thankful for this 92-year friendship with Eileen.
Barbara worked for Eddy’s bakery and later became a switchboard operator for the telephone company. On an outing with friends, she was introduced to a tall, blue eyed, Swede named Ray. While courting, life changed drastically for them. It was 1941 and Pearl Harbor was attacked. Ray enlisted in the Army and was leaving for basic training and then on to Europe. They eloped to Boulder and were married in the pastor’s home. They married in secret so Barb could continue working. When Ray deployed to Europe, Barbara decided she was going to move to Portland, OR to work in the shipyards. Barbara became a “Winnie the Welder”. She worked the swing shift, twelve-hour shifts and seven days a week. She was a petite woman and had to crawl into the fuselage area on troop transport ships with her helmet, full leathers and big boots. She loved her job! She was so proud of the scar on her nose that she received on her first day of welding when some hot slag fell and burned her. She helped weld fifteen transport ships. She was so proud about her contribution to support the war effort. While working hard and writing love letters to her husband, on August 27, 1944, she received a Western Union from the Secretary of War informing her Ray had been reported MIA in France. Eventually Ray and two other men were found walking and helping each other with injuries sustained from a land mine. After the War, Ray and Barbara moved back to Helena and got down to business. They did what everyone else was doing. They were creating the next generation called the “Baby Boomers”. They had three children.
Barbara eventually worked her way up the ladder to become the Office Manager of the Federal Savings Bond Division. She retired from the Federal Government after 30 years of service. She enjoyed her retirement years traveling, camping and dining out. She loved eating lobster, crab and shrimp dipped in hot butter.
Barbara lived a long, pain free life except for the inconvenient heart attack and two strokes that she fully recovered from. She did suffer from vertigo which started in her 80’s. One day Barbara was sitting at the kitchen table. Everyone was wondering what is wrong with Barb? Finally, someone asked her. Barbara replied “Oh I am really suffering with my Viagra today”. Oh, the laughter that rang out.
Barbara lived, loved and experienced women voting rights, prohibition, silent to talking movies, makeup, perms and the amazing technological changes she saw in cars, phones, calculators and computers. The first TV Barbara saw was the size of a postcard with a screen so small and with an antennae that reached to Heaven. She truly lived and was one of “The Greatest Generation”.
Barbara has now left her wisdom, recipes and great memories to the next generation, her surviving daughter, Sharon (Jim) Culbert of Basin, grandchildren Yvonne LaFromboise (Scott South) of Helena, Jay Culbert of Venice Beach, CA and Ron Culbert of Orion, MI. Great grandchildren Conner South of Helena, Ethan Culbert of Orion, MI and to her many nephews and nieces. We would like to mention a very special man in Barbara’s life. His name is Russell McCurdy. He has been a constant in her life for over twenty years. Russell would come over have coffee and read the paper with Barb three days a week. They really did not talk a whole lot except for when Barbara threatened to shake him because he was going to take Section A from her because she was taking too long to read it! They had such a sweet unspoken love for each other.
In lieu of flowers or to make a donation in her name, please send a contribution to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society, 1712 E. Custer Ave. Helena, MT 59602.
To offer condolences to the family or share a memory of Barbara please visit below.
Service Schedule
Viewing
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Saturday May 3, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
12:00 p.m.
Saturday May 3, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the Funeral
Saturday May 3, 2014
Social Hall of Andserson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Saturday May 3, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
12:00 p.m.
Saturday May 3, 2014
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the Funeral
Saturday May 3, 2014
Social Hall of Andserson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Share
Nikki Noland says
Barbara was a beautiful woman. She’ll be missed by Sharon, Yvonne, and their families. I’ll miss her saying: “did you warm the plates” at the holiday gatherings. I know I’ll keep a plate warm for her in my heart.
Goodbye Barbara – it was an honor to know you,
Nikki