Barbara Kolls "Bobbi" Lungren

1948 - 2022

On July 22, 2022, Barbara "Bobbi" Kolls Lungren, loving wife, mother, and "Nana" took her last breath surrounded by her adoring family in the comfort of her home in Alexandria, Virginia.

Born November 2, 1948 to Edward and Alice Kolls in Portland, Oregon, Bobbi's formative years were spent in Inglewood, and Carson, both located in Southern California. Bobbi's father passed away when she was 17 so she worked two jobs, all the while in school full-time, to help support her mother. Educated by the Sisters of St Joseph at St John Chrysostom, she continued her studies at Inglewood High School, El Camino College, and Cal State Long Beach.

During Bobbi's high school graduation celebration trip to Yosemite National Park, she met a doting University of Notre Dame student who finagled his way into Bobbi's beach volleyball game. Long Beach native, Daniel E. Lungren, was smitten at first sight with the beautiful brunette, and successfully pursued a two-year cross-country courtship while he acquired his college degree. Bobbi's first – of many – flights was to visit Dan in South Bend and her first – of many – Notre Dame home football games was in the fall of 1967.

Dan and Bobbi married on August 2, 1969 at St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Long Beach, CA and held their reception at the home of Bobbi's loving in-laws, Dr. John Charles and Lorain. When Dan attended Georgetown University Law School, Bobbi moved with him for their first – of many – moves from California to Washington, D.C. Bobbi worked as personal secretary to the Counselor to the President in the West Wing of the White House from 1970-1972. After law school, Bobbi and Dan moved back to Long Beach, CA where all three of their children were born. In 1976, Dan's first – of many – congressional elections kicked off with Bobbi taking on the role of Campaign Manager and walking precincts even with her third child in utero. In 1979, Bobbi and the family moved to Vienna, VA, outside of D.C.

During her ten years in Vienna, Bobbi was involved at the kids' school, Our Lady of Good Counsel; worked as a travel agent; and attentively raised their three children.

Every summer Bobbi and the family returned home to California and spent time with her mom, her in-laws, and her many nieces and nephews. In late 1988, Bobbi and family moved to Sacramento, CA where Bobbi was active at the kids' schools and activities; worked as a real estate agent, at the California Waste Management Board, and later as the Assistant to the City Manager of Folsom, CA. In 2005, Bobbi and Dan split their time between Sacramento and Alexandria, VA when Dan returned to Congress. A decade later, they became full-time Virginia residents, and within a few years their three adult children and respective families were all located within miles of Bobbi and Dan – something that they absolutely loved.

Although Bobbi retired from her professional careers in her 60s, she continued to "work" but this time pro-bono – as #1 Nana to her grandchildren. She became an unofficial Uber driver carting her grandchildren from school to home, to practice, to camps, and to just about anywhere. She helped babysit and with homework. She spent countless hours enthusiastically cheering from the sidelines, as well as enthusiastically reading and cuddling at home. This Nana role became her greatest love and greatest legacy. There is nothing that she enjoyed more than being with her family. There is nothing that her family enjoyed more than being with her.

Bobbi is survived by: her husband of 53 years, Daniel Edward Lungren; son Jeffrey Edward Lungren; daughters Kelly Lungren McCollum, and Kathleen Lungren Jobe; daughter-in-law Jennifer Dyjak Lungren; sons-in-law Jason McCollum, and Ousman Jobe; grandchildren Reagan (19), Julia (17), Jack (14), and Fiona (12) Lungren; and grandchildren Kayden (9), Zane (7), and Karina (5) Lungren Jobe.

In addition to time with her family, Bobbi took great pleasure in her daily devotionals and prayers, her weekly Bible Study classes, and her volunteer work with Meals on Wheels. She usually attended daily mass and was active at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria, VA, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister, and where her services will take place.

Among many other close relationships she formed, one nearest and dearest to Bobbi's heart was with the Dominican Sisters of Mary in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is for this reason, that in lieu of flowers, Bobbi asked for contributions to the nuns. Their website is: www.sistersofmary.org and their address is: Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, 4597 Warren Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105. Please denote that donations are in honor of Bobbi Lungren.

The visitation will be from 6-8PM on Friday, July 29, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church at 8710 Mount Vernon Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309. The funeral mass will be at the church on Saturday, July 30, at 12PM (and live-streamed on the church website for those unable to attend) with a reception to follow at Mt Vernon Country Club at 5111 Old Mill Road, Alexandria, VA 22309 from 1:30-3:30PM. Bobbi will later be laid to rest in Mary, Queen of Angels mausoleum at Cedar Grove Cemetery at the University of Notre Dame.

For all those who knew Bobbi, they knew a faithful, kind, tender, and loving woman who had a tremendous impact on countless lives. She will be dearly missed and forever loved.