Barbara Joan Montgomery

1933 - 2022

Barbara Joan Montgomery
June 2, 1933 - March 9, 2022
Kennewick, Washington - Barbara Montgomery completed her mortal existence here on earth peacefully with her family on March 9, 2022. She was born June 2, 1933 in Ogden Utah to Ariel Christian Hyer and Johanna Elizabeth Van Woerkom. Barb was the youngest of four children, Paul, Joyce and Blaine.
Barb learned to work when she was young and loved gardening. She loved ice skating and music and played the clarinet and sang. She sang in a women's quartet in high school and sang on the radio. The Harmonettes quartet was invited to sing at the Grand Canyon National Park for two summers and made multiple records. She completed nursing school and worked as a registered nurse at Kennewick General Hospital for more than 40 years. While in nursing school she met DeLoy (Dee) Montgomery when he was on furlough from the Army while on separate blind dates. They were married on November 6, 1953 in the Logan, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Under the Homestead Act, Dee and Barb had the opportunity to come to Kennewick, Washington on a GI Land Grant of 160 acres located where Fuerza School now stands. In 1957 they brought their two young daughters and lived in a primitive Quonset hut. Clearing the land of sagebrush and rocks was difficult, challenging work, especially while raising a family that grew to include six children, including: Robyn, Jody, Kelly, Ginger, Cristi and Spencer. Due to their diligent efforts and perseverance, they were the only original homesteaders who completed the grant agreement and claimed their land in Kennewick.
In 1970 Barb was able to use her nursing skills when Dee had a tragic farming accident that nearly took his life. During his recovery she and the kids took care of the farm for many months with the help of neighbors and church members. In later years Barb and Dee enjoyed golfing together and traveled many places with friends to golf. She won the Canyon Lakes Ladies Golf Tournament multiple times, most recently at the age of 75. Barb enjoyed ice cream throughout her life, especially sharing it with her family and friends. Her posterity includes 6 children, 28 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Viewing will be held on Wednesday March 16 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home, 1401 South Union Street, in Kennewick. Funeral Services will be held Thursday March 17, 2022 at 1:00 PM at the Hansen Park Building of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 8120 W. 4th Avenue in Kennewick.
The family invites you to sign their online guest book at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.