Barbara Judith (Edwards) Hauf

— Our “Mom”, Barbara Judith (Edwards) Hauf, began her journey on this earth Nov. 27, 1926 in Forsyth. She went to her heavenly home July 7, 2017. She was the daughter of Lee Nichols Edwards and Blanche Rosamond (Burdan) Edwards. The family included her older sister Janice, twin sister Joyce, and younger sister Jacqueline. Her family lived on a ranch in Rosebud County Montana where her formal education began in a country school. She attended schools in eastern Montana and the Montana Hi-Line and graduated from high school in Havre.

Barbara lived in Washington, D.C. for a short-time where she studied and worked as a secretary for the United States Department of Labor. She realized her lifelong goal to become a nurse when she was awarded a scholarship for training in the Cadet Nurse program at Montana State College in Bozeman. She graduated with a diploma in Nursing from MSC in 1946.

While completing her psychiatric nursing requirements she met Jacob “Jake” Hauf who worked as an orderly at the Neuropsychiatric Veterans Hospital in Sheridan, Wyoming. Barbara “Judy” and Jake were married June 5, 1946, and moved to his farm outside of Ranchester, Wyoming. They had five children together: Kathleen, Karen, Kandice, Steven, and Stanley who died in infancy.

Education and lifelong learning were very important to Barbara. While she and Jake raised their children, Barbara also continued her studies in nursing. A move back to Bozeman in 1960 enabled Barbara to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing in 1961 and a master's degree in nursing in 1962 at Montana State University (MSU). From 1962 through 1977 she was a member of the MSU College of Nursing faculty in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. She earned a master's degree in public health from the University of Minnesota in 1970 and a doctorate in education from the University of Montana in 1975. She devoted her professional career to improving health care and to educating nursing students and providing continuing education to practicing nurses. During her career in nursing education in Montana, Barbara developed a statewide public health education program for students. She also served as Montana’s coordinator for a tri-state (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming) continuing education program for nurses under the auspices of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). She also established the Nursing Services Center at MSU to provide health care services to student families and clinical experiences for nursing students.

Barbara and Jake lived in various parts of the U.S. as Barbara advanced her career. She was director of Continuing Nursing Education at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio 1977-1980. This was followed by a move to the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks as professor and acting assistant dean 1980-1982. The next career move was to serve as department chair for Nursing at Boise State University 1982-1985. They moved to Missoula in 1985 where Barbara worked in community health nursing until retirement. Barbara’s professional contributions were recognized by being listed in Who’s Who in Health Care, World’s Who’s Who of Women in Education, and Who’s Who of American Women.

Barbara was also a master gardener who grew amazing flower and vegetable gardens; she developed special expertise in growing a wide variety of irises. For several years she and Jake enjoyed selling flower bouquets at the Missoula Farmers Market. Barbara loved the outdoors and was game to try new experiences — she even went parasailing when she was 76 years old.

The most important parts of Barbara’s life were her faith and her family. Her faith was at the core. She was active in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod for most of her adult life. Her church home in Missoula was the First Lutheran Church. Her love of people and her helping spirit were evident in all aspects of her life. She was always there to provide guidance, prayers, and support to family, friends, and those who needed a helping hand. She always saw the best in people. She taught her children how to live with kindness and responsibility. Her smiling face and warm love will be carried with us forever and will be remembered by all who knew her.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Joyce and Jacqueline, her beloved husband Jake, sons Stanley and Steven, and son-in-law Ervin Winslow.

She is survived by her sister Janice, her daughters Kathleen, Karen (husband Rob), Kandice, six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held later this summer in Sheridan, Wyoming.

Memorial gifts in remembrance of Barbara may be sent to the First Lutheran Church children’s programs at 2808 South Avenue West, Missoula, MT 59804 or Hospice of Missoula at 1900 S. Reserve St., Missoula, MT 59801.

Correspondence may be sent c/o Kathy Winslow, 2213 Deerfield Lane, Helena, MT 59601