Barbara Jean Raasch, age 88, of Emmett, Idaho passed away on February 2, 2021. She was born to Charles and Opal Price in Nampa, Idaho on November 16th, 1932.
In 1940, Barbara’s family moved to Avery, Idaho where her father worked on the railroad. The family was transferred to Tacoma, Washington for a few years until they returned to Nampa in 1946. Barbara graduated from Nampa High School in 1950.
After graduation, Barbara attended nurses’ training. She met her first husband and they had a daughter, Terri Lynn. In 1956, Barbara met the man of her dreams, Melvin Gilbert Raasch while square dancing. They married on September 2nd, 1958 and the family moved to Kuna, Idaho.
They purchased a 20-acre farm and Barbara began working as a nurse’s aide at St. Alphonsus Hospital. In November 1966, they adopted a baby boy, Kenneth Lee, and brought him home on Thanksgiving Day.
Barbara was very active in the Kuna United Methodist Church, volunteering as the church secretary for 20 years. During this time she started one of the first food banks in Kuna and volunteered at the State school, sewing for them.
In 1989 Melvin retired from the Air National Guard and this was the start of Melvin and Barbara’s RV travels. They joined several RV groups and traveled all across America, creating great friends and enjoying the beautiful sites that the United States has to offer. In 2000 they moved to Emmett and expanded their travels to Canada and Australia. Over the years they spent 12 winters in Arizona, getting away from the cold Idaho winter. Everywhere they traveled they made amazing friends, who have been a very important part of their lives.
Barbara is survived by her loving husband, Melvin; daughter, Terri and son, Kenny. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
There will be a memorial service for Barbara at 11:00 AM on February 13, 2021 at the Potter Funeral Chapel in Emmett, Idaho.
It is requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Kuna United Methodist Church in memory of Barbara Raasch.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Barbara J. (Price) Raasch, please visit our floral store.