Barbara Mae Boerst

Barbara Mae Boerst passed peacefully at the Village Senior Residence on Sunday, February 8, 2026. She was born on December 1, 1933, in Chicago, IL, to William and Evora Hollenback. Upon the passing of her mother in 1940, she was adopted by her aunt and uncle James (Mabel) Steele and became Barbara Steele. She was raised in Chicago and graduated from Taft High School in 1952.

Barbara married Harold Boerst and moved to Mt. Prospect, IL, where they raised their three children. After the passing of her husband, she relocated to Missoula, MT, in 1993. She quickly adopted Missoula as her permanent home, living for many years at the Missoula Manor.

Barbara especially enjoyed drives through the National Bison Range and Glacier National Park. Among her happier moments was attending community band concerts in the summer and she was thrilled when the band played "Oh, Missoula", for which she authored the lyrics. She also enjoyed writing, and self-published two novels when she was in her seventies. She was a proud member of the Order of the Eastern Star for 72 years.

Barbara is survived by her children Andrea (Euclid) Wong of Hong Kong, China; William (Kerry) Boerst of Tacoma, WA; and Jim Boerst of McHenry, IL. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Erica Wong (Charles Lei) of Bellview, WA; Alexander Wong of New York, NY; Crystal (Cash) Field of Missoula, MT; Rebecca Boerst (Darred Sybrant) of Missoula, MT; Matthew Boerst of McHenry, IL; and Jason Boerst of San Jose, CA. She is also survived by her beloved cousins from her Wisconsin family, and her grand-dog Charlie. She was preceded in death by her husband Harold Boerst and parents, James and Mabel Steele, and William and Evora Hollenback.

Barbara will be interred with her husband and the ashes of her beloved dog, Ginger, and cat, Snoopy, in Memory Gardens Cemetery, in Arlington Heights, IL. No services are planned