Barbara Louise Odneal

Long Beach resident Barbara L. Odneal, 79, died in Portland, Oregon on March 11, 2011 following a brief illness. The daughter of Fred and Mary (Wolf) Swanson, she was born in Longview, Washington on June 29, 1931. Barb grew up in Kelso and was a 1949 graduate of Kelso High School. Following high school Barbara married Lyle Ahrens and they settled in Longview. Barbara became mother to Richard, Janet and Gale and was employed as a dental assistant. In 1963 Barbara moved to Eugene, Oregon. In 1965 she married her second husband, William Odneal and became mother to son William. She worked in a dental office as an assistant and bookkeeper in Eugene. In 1975 Barbara moved to Long Beach to be near family. She soon found employment in the accounting department at Ocean Beach Hospital in Ilwaco, worked at Ilwaco Charters and operated the Fort Canby Store during summer months. She retired after 26 years employment at Ocean Beach Hospital and for the past 15 years was manager of the delicatessen at Ilwaco Market where she made many acquaintances and was working until her passing. Barbara enjoyed mowing her and her neighbor's lawn. She took pride in her flower garden, fed the hummingbirds, looked after the deer that visited, and chased the bears away. She was known for her excellent culinary skills and her home canned tuna was "simply the best". Barbara is survived by her son Richard (Robin) Ahrens of Newport, WA; daughters Janet (David) Smart of Kelso, WA and Gale Ahrens and husband Dan Handley of Long Beach, WA, and son William Odneal of Long Beach; grandchildren Michelle LeSalle, Jodi Ahrens, Richard Ahrens II, Heather Braizer, Joseph Smart, Tayler Odneal, Thomas Odneal, Jack Odneal, and Sheehan Greis; six great-grandchildren as well as a niece and nephew. She was preceded in death by her brother Dick Swanson. In keeping with Barbara's wishes, no formal service will be held. Memorials in her memory may be made to the Ocean Beach School District Foundation or the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula in care of Penttila's Chapel by The Sea, PO Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631. Her guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.