Barbara Velma "Barb" Kobs

1925 - 2025

Barbara "Barb" Velma Kobs, 100

Barbara Velma Kobs (February 6, 1925 – August 16, 2025)

Barbara Kobs was born in Jarbidge, Nevada on February 6, 1925 and traveled with her mother and father, Homer and Elsie (Lewis) Bedell by horse and wagon to their homestead in Bruneau, Idaho to join her sister, Lois (Bedell) Skiles and brother, Aubrey Bedell. This trip home was the beginning of a wonderous adventure that would last over the next 100+ years for her.

In Barbara's lifetime, she would see and experience many changes in her world from horseback to automobiles to man landing on the moon.

Barbara had an innate curiosity for nature, knowledge, and a wanderlust for the world. She saw much of the world traveling with her best friend and sweetheart companion of over 50 years, Bill Brunelle.

Barbara loved animals and she said that they were her best friends growing up. Her favorite hobbies were drawing and painting. She also was a proficient golfer and made three hole-in-ones during her lifetime. She loved camping, hiking, fishing, huckleberry picking, swimming, hunting, watching sports, and of course slot machines. Barbara spent a lot of her life sharing her love for the outdoors with her children and grandchildren, which left an indelible impression on their lives. Though Barbara knew the Lord intimately, she said she was closest to him when she was out in His world of nature.

Barbara Kobs' life was not always easy. After a failed second marriage, she was left alone to support and raise her four children on a beautician's wages. Because of her tough pioneer spirit, strength, and determination, she pulled up her bootstraps and set out to solve the problem! Having had only one year of college at Lewiston Normal, she went back to college at North Idaho Junior College and received a two-year teaching certificate. Later, she furthered her education by receiving a BA from Whitworth College in 1968. She began teaching at Seltice Elementary and later Ponderosa Elementary in Post Falls, where she retired. During this period, Barbara was chosen as one of the best elementary teachers in Idaho and was given the opportunity by the Idaho Education Association to teach elementary courses to fellow teachers and students throughout the state.

Though Barbara's life was full of meaningful gratification her favorite role was being a mother and grandmother. You might say her headdress was full of feathers. She gave this world four children: Pam (Stafford) Flynn (Michael); Wade Kobs (Debi); Cindy (Kobs) Huret; and Buff Kobs (Cathy). She had 11 grandchildren: Amber (Flynn) Bruns (Mike); Brendan Flynn (Beree); Brian Kobs (Sara); Amy (Kobs) Bachman; Megan (Kobs) Hopson (Luke); Melonie Goodhue, who spent the last six years selflessly watching over and caring for her grandmother; Mandy (Goodhue) Butler (Bryan); Cassie Huret; Taryn Ouren (Tom); Cathrina Titus (Darren); and Ryan Corbeill (Kathleen); as well as 20 great-grandchildren.

Among a multitude of other things, Barbara's children would speak of her helping others through her teaching and heart felt generous spirit; her teaching of cooking, canning, and the art of gardening to nourish the body and heart; and teaching honesty, integrity, and loyalty toward others. She often stated that all she wanted for her family was to help teach them to be "loving, independent people of good character and grace!"

Barb, as all her friends knew her, had a wonderful 100th birthday party this last February with many friends and family from far and wide gathering at the Coeur d'Alene Eagles. She was in great form and enjoyed it tremendously. Thanks to all who participated. The family considers that as the best sendoff we could ever ask for so there will not be any other services planned.

Please visit Barb's online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com