Barbara Jean Bobier

Barbara Jean Bobier, 83 of Sioux City, IA passed away after a long illness on Sunday, June 16, 2019 at Countryside health care.

Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 22, 2019 at St. Luke Lutheran Church with Rev. Jay Denne officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2019, with the family present 6-8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Ave. Condolences may be offered online at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Barbara was born December 4, 1935, the daughter of William H. and Verna Blanche (Pinney) Lewis in LeMars, Iowa. She graduated from Central High School in Sioux City and attended Morningside College earning a teachers certificate.  She taught almost every grade at several rural schools from Hinton to Climbing Hill. Barbara took an interest with helping educationally disadvantaged children and pursued a career in special education in the early days of Northwest Area Education Agency 12 before retiring from there in June 2000. Years later, even after retirement, former students would come up to her in public and give thanks for her help either as their teacher or counselor.

While working full-time, she attended night college for many years at Morningside College and University of South Dakota in Vermillion, to earn her Master’s Degree and work towards a PhD degree in education.  On August 18, 1956, she married James Edward Bobier at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sioux City. Together they raised two children and provided a home for two foster children through Lutheran Social Services.

Barbara was an active in gardening, painting, quilting and volunteering. She was known as a talented seamstress and made Christmas stockings and blankets for newborn babies for needy mothers.  After her retirement, Barbara enjoyed bicycling, visiting family and continued volunteering her sewing skills for others.  

Eight years ago, Barbara was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. She was strong and self-disciplined and never complained about her illness. She was a reverent follower of the Lord throughout her life.  

Barbara and her husband Jim were active members Trinity Lutheran for many years. After Jim’s passing, she joined St. Luke Lutheran.

Survivors include son, James E. (Diane) Bobier Jr. of Hutchinson, MN; daughter, Bounsong (Steve) Sterner of Hutchinson, MN; brother, Bob (Mary) Lewis Sioux City, IA; 9 grandchildren, Hilary, Heidi, Luke, Laura, Amanda, Stephanie, Anthony, Jeremy and Jodi; and 7 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and a brother, Rhinehart Lewis.