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Barbara Jean Frei-Gehring, 77

Barbara Jean Frei-Gehring, 77, passed away Monday, Dec. 4, 2017, at her home in Grangeville, Idaho, with her family by her side. Barbara was born March 22, 1940, in Cottonwood, Idaho, the youngest of 10 children, to Fred and Anna Vogel of Nezperce.

On Sept. 3, 1960, she married her first love, Jim Frei, of Grangeville. They were blessed with six children. For the next 45 years she enjoyed camping, bowling, playing cards, working at the thrift store, traveling, picnics on the back of the scout and she loved to clean. In March of 2006 Jim passed away. She then spent her time visiting with her children and grandchildren and having spa days with her daughters.

In November 2011, Barb had a second chance at love. She married Vern Gehring of Cottonwood on Aug. 16, 2012. For the next five years Barb enjoyed going four-wheeling, playing cards, huckleberry picking and country drives. Even though Mom left this earth way too early, Vern tells us, “We only had five years together, but they were the BEST five years of my life.” Barb was a parishioner at Sts. Peter and Paul parish.

Barb is survived by her husband, Vern; brothers, Fred Vogel of Nezperce, Idaho, and Jim (Judy) Vogel of Layton, Utah; her six children, Brenda Wilson (Evan Chapman) of Puyallup Wash., Vickie (Kevin) Rouse of Post Falls, Idaho, Laurie (Rod) Hall of Kimberly, Idaho, Jodi (Dave) Mills of Auburn, Wash., Andy (Michelle) Frei of Klamath Falls, Ore., and Teresa (Lance) Durham of Lewiston, Idaho; 14 grandchildren, Amanda, Ashley, Matt, Michael, Zach, Kristina, Aaron, Tiffanie, Nick, Anna, Craig, Jim, Bryan and Cheyene; and seven great-grandchildren, Maddisen, Isaac, Joseph, Andrew, Noah, Caleb and Brooks.

Barb was preceded in death by her first husband, Jim; parents, Fred and Anna; sisters, Viola, Sr. Bertha, Maggie, Bernie, Dorothy and Betty; brother, Bob and numerous loved ones.

Anyone who knew Barb said she could light up a room and was the life of the party.

A viewing will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville. A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, at the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, at Sts. Peter and Paul Gymnasium in Grangeville. Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home of Grangeville. Send condolences to the family to blackmerfuneralhome.com.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the hospice nurses of Grangeville, Dr. Mulvey, of Post Falls, all of the wonderful nurses we came into contact with and the numerous family and friends who have shared their prayers and stories with us.

MOM your laughter and smile will stay in our hearts forever!!