Barbara White Pickhardt

1936 - 2023

Barbara White Pickhardt, 87, passed away on November 26, 2023, at her home in Missoula, Montana.

She was born October 9, 1936, to Clarence and Mamie White in Conway, Arkansas. She was predeceased by her only sibling, Joe White. During her grade school years, she loved to grow and arrange flowers with her mother, a passion she continued throughout her life. Barbara attended high school in Conway, Arkansas, and graduated from Hendrix University with a degree in biology. She also did some graduate work at the University of Central Arkansas. In the following years, she taught school in Walnut Ridge and North Little Rock, Arkansas, New Orleans, and Atlanta.

On December 27,1957, Barbara married the love of her life, John Paul Pickhardt. John had to ask her three times for their first date before she accepted but from that first date it was a wonderful life they created. During their 66 years of marriage, they lived in cities across the south before retiring in Montana where two of their three children live.

Barbara was a person of love, kindness, and giving. The focus of these passions was her family, friends, and Lord. She selflessly did volunteer work throughout her life helping organizations such as Families First, Friends Speak, Meals on Wheels and many others. She left behind her husband, three children and their spouses, Brad (Nancy) Pickhardt, Mark (Kathy) Pickhardt, Barb (Mark) Bretz, eighteen grandchildren and great grandchildren, and her brother's family. Her greatest joy was talking to each of her children daily. John, her husband, is trying to continue with this tradition.

A family memorial honoring her is planned for May 11, 2024, in Conway, Arkansas.

"If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still. In our hearts you hold a place that no one could ever fill. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn't go alone. For part of us went with you, the day that God took you home." Author Unknown