Barbara Olsen was born in November 1932 to Ole and Aslaug Olsen of Everett Washington. She was a lover of life and delighted in new adventures. Everyone she met was an instant friend. As a child, she discovered a love of music and played the violin for the All City Orchestra. As a young woman, she worked for the telephone company making new friends and having a great time being independent.

Her love of independence took a back seat once she met Roy Juberg. It was a love to last a lifetime. Barbara's parents encouraged her to travel in Europe with them before marrying. She took the opportunity to collect her trousseau. Her tea length dress, veil, and gloves were delightful discoveries from various countries. Upon her return, she and Roy married in Ocean City, Maryland.

Settling in Seattle, Barbara enjoyed creating a comfortable home and honing her admired and appreciated skills as a cook. Her happiness was complete with the birth of their son, and only child, David. Roy's career with Boeing took them to Alabama from 1964 to 1966. They returned to the Seattle area buying a home in what is now Des Moines. As Dave reached middle school age, Barbara enrolled in college earning a bachelor's degree in Art and Education from the UW in 1975.

As a substitute teacher, she was able to combine her love of art and music with her love of children. She was often called upon to step in for art, band and orchestra teachers in both the Kent and Federal Way school districts. Meanwhile, she played in the Pacific Lutheran University Orchestra through 1995. Retirement was just the beginning of a litany of activities and adventures!

Following Roy's retirement from Boeing, they joined Friendship Force. They met friends all over the world, staying in their homes and hosting visitors at their home in Des Moines. They saw Greece, Japan, China, Russia, Italy, New Zealand, and Egypt. They also discovered a love of cruising, passing through the Panama Canal more than once, seeing the Caribbean and Alaska.

Barbara's love of art led to classes in Chinese brush stroke and watercolor. She visited Georgia O'Keefe's home in the SW and made many trips to the Frye Museum. She also handmade braided rugs and created her own traditional Norwegian bunad embroidering the apron with beautiful hardanger. Later, dance classes were a source of fun and social life.

She is survived by her son David (Terri) and cherished granddaughters Elise and Erica, niece Robin Pendell, nephews Evan Olsen (Cindy), Eric, Mark, and Keith Level, Randy and Terry Juberg and many much-loved great nieces and nephews. Barbara was full of joy and life. She inspired us to be our best selves and embrace opportunities.

A gathering of friends and family will be held from 1:00-4:00 on Saturday, August 20th at her son's home in Des Moines.