Kimber: Barbara Heotta, January 21, 1934 – January 1, 2019

Barbara Heotta Kimber died peacefully at the age of 84 January 1, 2019. Barb was born at home in Tompkins, Saskatchewan January 21, 1934. Soon after, the family moved north to homestead in northern Saskatchewan. In 1948, the family moved back to Tompkins where Barb went to high school and worked in a restaurant. It was there that Barb met the young trumpet player, Ronald Kimber.

They were married in Tompkins December 2, 1950, and after a short honeymoon in Calgary, they moved to the Youngstown area to help Ron’s brother Kim (Horace) with his sheep. They stayed with him through the winter of 1951. The spring of 1951 brought a three-day blizzard. When it was over Barb helped Ronny and Kim look for small holes in the snow. They were able to dig out the buried sheep this way, saving as many as they could. In the spring, they helped Bill Kimber put in his crop and by November 1951 they moved onto the farm on which the family still resides.

All of Barb’s children were born in the Cereal Hospital: Bill in 1951, Bing (Ronald) in 195 3, Sharon in 1955 and John in 1961. The family moved to Calgary in 1967. Barb had never lived in the city before but enjoyed working at Woodwards and billeting her nieces and nephews while raising her own four kids. Ron spent summers back on the farm and in 1974 Barb and John moved back to the farm as well. Barb was an active member of the Youngstown Women’s Institute and helped with the Agriculture in the Classroom program, even bringing in baby chicks to the students one year.

Barb loved gardening, keeping chickens, baking and helping with the cattle, but her greatest love was her children and grandchildren. She was a big part in the lives of all of her grandchildren who often spent weeks at a time on the farm. Donny and Shane were lucky enough to spend time with her every day. Barb had a lasting effect on all of her children and grandchildren, teaching them the value of hard work, determination and laughter. She always said that farming was “a great life if you don’t weaken.” She never weakened (unless it involved a child or a puppy) and had a great life!

Barb was predeceased by her husband Ronald; parents Leslie and Mary (Moseley) Miller; brothers Tommy and Les Miller; and sisters Dorothy Phillips and Francis Primrose. She is survived by her sister Doreen (Hugh) Varty; brother David (Lynn) Miller; children Bill (Sharon) Kimber of Chestermere Lake, “Bing” Ronald Kimber of Youngstown, Sharon (Len) Lott of Calgary and John (Jean) Kimber of Youngstown; beloved grandchildren Christine (David) Acton, Ryan (Alisa) Kimber, April Lott, Kerri Price, Danny Lott, and Donny and Shane Kimber; and seven great-grandchildren Gareth, Gavin and Nia, Skylar, Aleshiah, Madison and Colton.

Funeral service was held January 5 at the Youngstown Community Hall in Youngstown. Officiating Clergy was Rev. Helen Reed. Pianist was Nick Armstrong. A eulogy was given by Donny and Shane Kimber and tributes by Barb’s family. Hymns were In the Bulb There Is A Flower, In The Garden, and In The Sweet By And By. Honorary Pallbearers were April Lott, Kerri Price, Danny Lott, Christine Acton, Ryan Kimber, Donald Kimber, and Shane Kimber.

Following the funeral service, family and friends were invited to a luncheon hosted by the Youngstown Community.

MacLean’s Funeral Home of Oyen in care of arrangements.