Barbara Jane Kurfurst

BARBARA JANE KURFURST
September 14, 1946 ˜ April 8, 2025

Barbara Jane (Sousley) Kurfurst was born on September 14, 1946, in Portland, OR to Otis and Ella Jean Sousley. She passed away on April 8, 2025, in Vancouver, WA, surrounded by loved ones.

Barbara grew up in Southeast Portland close to family and friends. Her grandparents lived in the house right behind her. While her parents were at work, her grandmother Ida, who was an excellent cook, would come over every afternoon and prepare dinner for the family. Barbara enjoyed working alongside her grandmother, which is where she acquired her love of cooking.

Her childhood consisted of camping trips to Spirit Lake and the Oregon Coast. She continued her love of traveling with her family in their motorhome, mostly to the Oregon and Washington Coast and an annual trek to Wallowa Lake and the Snake River. During the trips to Wallowa Lake and the Snake River, Barbara could be found riding in the boat watching her family fish, swim, surf, wakeboard, and ski.

Barbara graduated from Marshall High School where she was active in Pep Club - rarely missing a game. She excelled in Home Economics, which she continued to study at Portland State College. She was a member of Mt. Scott Presbyterian Church and Youth Group where she met her future husband, Jim. They were married on October 1, 1966, in the church where they met.

Barbara and Jim were two of the co-founders and original owners of Butcher Boys in Vancouver, WA which was established in 1969. They moved to Vancouver, WA in 1970 where they raised their two children, Peter and Shari. Barbara enjoyed volunteering at her children’s school where she was a member and President of the PTA. She taught Sunday School and volunteered with her daughter’s Girl Scout troop.

Barbara genuinely loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother and caring for her family. Barbara learned to sew from a family friend, Jean Elle, and she made countless outfits for her daughter Shari, Halloween costumes for her children and grandchildren, and hundreds of alterations for her loved ones. She was always a grandmother with open arms to all her grandchildren and was the first line caretaker for them as they grew. Barbara spent countless hours traveling to her children’s and grandchildren’s activities and cheering them on from the sidelines.

Her life was filled with family and friends and caring for all those who loved her and spent time with her. Barbara leaves an empty spot in so many lives. She was a kind, generous, and giving person and was always willing to help in any way she could. Because she was such a sweet, loyal, and good person, she will be missed not just by her family but also by so many life-long friends.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Jim Kurfurst of Vancouver, WA; son Peter Kurfurst, daughter in law Melissa Kimball; daughter Shari Russell, son in law David Russell; and sisters Karen Rudy, Patty Hampton, and Kim Carter along with her four grandchildren, Todd (Shaye) Russell, Aimee (Masen) Ward, Emily Russell, Patrick Kurfurst; three bonus grandchildren Logan Kimball, Kylie Kimball, Jackson Kimball; one great grandchild Benson Russell; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Otis and Ella Jean Sousley.

A celebration of life in Barbara’s honor will be held on June 29, 2025, at 12 p.m. at Fort Vancouver Artillery Barracks on Officers Row in Vancouver, WA. The address is 600 E. Hatheway Road, Vancouver, WA 98661.
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