Obituary of Elizabeth Anne Barker

Elizabeth Anne Barker (78) passed away on September 27, 2016 at her home in Harrison, ID. She was born to Paul and Ethel Fortin on August 10, 1938 in Duluth, MN. She grew up in Duluth until the age 13 when the family relocated to California. Elizabeth met a boy named Frank Barker while picking cherries from a tree in Oregon. She was from Oakland and he was from Petaluma. He would hitchhike to go visit her and she would ride the bus to go see him. They dated all through high school and when Elizabeth graduated from high school in Oakland the couple married in Carson City, NV on March 31, 1956. Frank and Elizabeth started their family as soon as they were married having 7 children. She was a homemaker and was very involved with her children while they were in school as she was an active PTA member. March of Dimes Director was a job duty that Elizabeth held and she was very active with the March of Dimes and raising money for premature babies. Elizabeth started having issues with her kidneys. She received the news that she would need a kidney transplant. Her sister Irene was a candidate, so the sisters went into surgery and Elizabeth successfully received Irene’s kidney. Elizabeth lived with her sister’s kidney for 30 years, she was again given news that she would need another transplant. Her daughter Tina was a candidate for donation. They went into surgery and it was successful. Elizabeth lived with Tina’s kidney for 16 years. Frank and Elizabeth loved to travel. The couple have visited all 50 states, and they drove on most of their trips. One memorable trip was to England to see the Queen’s Silver Jubilee; however her most favorite place to visit was Hawaii. Mexico was another favorite place to go for the couple as they found themselves staying anywhere from elite resorts to hiking and lodging in the backwoods. Elizabeth enjoyed gardening, baking, cooking, and quilting. She was also a member of TOPS, Harrison Senior Citizens, and the Harrison Historical Society and Museum. Elizabeth is survived by her husband Frank at the family home; sons Frank (Denise) Barker of Clear Lake, CA, Ron Barker of Richmond, CA, Don (Karen) Barker of Reno, NV, Jay Barker of Petaluma, CA, Douglas Barker of Coeur d’ Alene, ID, Jeffrey (Allison) Barker of Santa Rosa, CA; daughter Tina Barker of Harrison, ID; sister Irene Fortin of Harrison, ID; 15 grandchildren, 16 grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, 2 nephews, and 1 niece. She is preceded in death by sister Margaret Smith, daughter in-law Maria Barker, son in-law James Hart, and great-great grandson Daniel Bartlett. A memorial service will be held November 13, 2016 in Reno, NV.