Barbara Sheldon

Edna "Barbara" Sheldon

Edna "Barbara" Sheldon, age 92, a resident of Colville, WA passed away on October 30, 2025 in Colville. Barbara was born on July 8, 1933 in Colville, where she lived on the Kaufman family homestead at the Little Pend Oreille lakes. The daughter of Elmer and Lillian (Hawn) Kaufman.

Barbara's earliest years began in Colville but by the age of 9, she moved with her family to the Tacoma, WA area. There she attended Lincoln high school in Tacoma and graduated in 1951. Following high school, she began her lifelong career in a secretarial role. She married her high school sweetheart, Dene Custis, in 1952. Barbara continued working as their family grew with the births of her four children, Cindy, Rick, Lisa and Jim. She worked as an administrative secretary for the local school district while her children were in school. She and Dene divorced in 1968 and she remained single for several years. In 1984 she married Charles "Chuck" Sheldon by lake Thomas, in a gazebo with her dad and all of her family, even five grandchildren & two deer in attendance. Barbara changed secretarial employment in her later career and worked for West Coast Grocery until her retirement in the mid 1980's. She and Chuck built a home on the family homestead near Colville and would travel to Yuma, AZ in the winter months. They were snowbirds for over 20 years. Barbara loved to work, and so she worked for fun while in Arizona helping the owner of Rancho Bonitos, where they wintered, to sell lots. She continued working at Beaver Lodge once she returned home. She was a social butterfly, always fluttering between gatherings, family events, social functions and sharing a moment with every person in her path.

Barbara was a "fun mom & grandma"! She stayed up-to-date on all the new things and was not afraid to launch into the uncharted waters of communication. At the age of 92, she was texting, emailing with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Using electronic media to stay in touch and up with the times. Barbara enjoyed hours of card playing with family and friends including, Bridge, Pinochle and Spoof. She even hosted the game of Bridge for a time at Garden Plaza in Post Falls Idaho. Barbara loved her family more than anything in the world and cherished each moment she spent with them. She was always on the move and lived life to its absolute fullest.

Barbara was preceded in death by one beloved son, Jim Parker (Custis)

She is survived by her son, Rick Custis (Lonna) of Colville, WA; daughter, Lisa Clements of Yuma, AZ, Cindy Crofts of Colville, WA; grandchildren, Justin Custis (Heather), Timothy Custis (Brooke), Carin Kearns (Nate), Andrew Custis (Carleen), Sherri Clifton (David), Dusti Mansford, Joseph Clements, Ricky Mansford, Stephanie Reynolds, Brian Crofts, Heidi Crofts, Jennifer Drury, Kimberly Crofts & Dillon Parker; numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, brother, Bill Kaufman (Diane) of Kenai, AK, a host of extended family and a host of friends.

Barbara will be laid to rest at the Mountain View Park Cemetery near her family. A memorial gathering & celebration of life will be scheduled in the summer of 2026. Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.