Barbara Ann Branchik

1943 - 2025

Barbara was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on December 8, 1943, to Jack and Jeanne Sauer. Captain Jack was away on duty at the time, serving in the Merchant Marines. They were wonderful parents who were always there for her and gave her a solid start in life. Barbara lived her early years in Canton, OH, where she graduated from high school. She was selected to play 1st chair clarinet in the School Band of America in Europe, which was directed by Leonard Bernstein. She graduated from Hiram College in 1965 with a BA in Music. While at Hiram, she met Richard Branchik, and they were married soon after graduation. They moved to Cleveland, OH, and had three sons, Jack, Adam, and Nate. In 1972, they moved to Boise, ID, for a work opportunity. There, they bought an old farmhouse on five acres where they had many gardens and animals, and an ideal place to raise three boys. This was followed by moves to Anchorage, AK, and Eugene, OR. After separating, Barbara moved to Seattle, WA, to further her career in engineering, where she specialized in project administration and quality assurance. She met Denny Houghton, and as partners, they moved to the Tri-Cities area for employment related to Hanford, Denny as an electrician and Barbara for local and national construction companies. They settled on five acres east of Benton City and were married in 1993. Barbara worked for twenty-two years in NQA-1 quality assurance for projects at Hanford, both on and off the site. In early 2000, she started a sole proprietorship known as DB Associates. Barbara had many acquaintances and friends through work and people in the local community. She loved and raised animals: horses, goats, cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, ducks, turkeys, rabbits, and cats. Her favorite animals were dogs, especially whippets. Barbara had a long battle with lung cancer and crossed over the rainbow bridge to meet her family, her sons Jack and Nathan, her mother and father, and many dear animals. She is survived by her husband Denny, her son Adam Branchik and his wife Benaiha, Denny's son Peter and daughter Kate, a granddaughter Kalena Branchik, and great-grandchildren Sage, Indi, and Kaius. Barb would like to extend special thanks to her doctors and pharmacy personnel at Fred Meyer and to many wonderful folks in the community who helped her. She asks that a funeral not be held for her and for any remembrances to be sent as a contribution to The Benton Franklin Humane Society.