Barbara White Pickhardt

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

She was born Oct. 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 Dec. 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 and Barb (Mark) Bretz; 18 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.