Barbara 'Barb' Velma Kobs, 100

Barbara Velma Kobs (Feb. 6, 1925 — Aug. 16, 2025)

Barbara Kobs was born in Jarbidge, Nev., on Feb. 6, 1925, and traveled with her mother and father, Homer and Elsie (Lewis) Bedell, by horse and wagon to their homestead in Bruneau, Idaho, to join her sister, Lois (Bedell) Skiles, and brother Aubrey Bedell. This trip home was the beginning of a wondrous adventure that would last over the next 100+ years for her.

In Barbara’s lifetime, she would see and experience many changes in her world, from horseback to automobiles to man landing on the moon.

Barbara had an innate curiosity about nature and knowledge, and a wanderlust for the world. She saw much of the world while traveling with her best friend and sweetheart companion of over 50 years, Bill Brunelle.

Barbara loved animals, and she said that they were her best friends growing up. Her favorite hobbies were drawing and painting. She was also a proficient golfer and made three holes-in-one during her lifetime. She loved camping, hiking, fishing, huckleberry picking, swimming, hunting, watching sports and, of course, slot machines. Barbara spent a lot of her life sharing her love of the outdoors with her children and grandchildren, which left an indelible impression on their lives. Though Barbara knew the Lord intimately, she said she was closest to him when she was out in His world of nature.

Barbara Kobs’ life was not always easy. After a failed second marriage, she was left alone to support and raise her four children on a beautician’s wages. Because of her tough pioneer spirit, strength and determination, she pulled up her bootstraps and set out to solve the problem! Having completed only one year of college at Lewiston Normal, she returned to North Idaho Junior College and earned a two-year teaching certificate. Later, she furthered her education by receiving a BA from Whitworth College in 1968. She began teaching at Seltice Elementary and later Ponderosa Elementary in Post Falls, where she retired. During this period, Barbara was chosen as one of the best elementary teachers in Idaho and was given the opportunity by the Idaho Education Association to teach elementary courses to fellow teachers and students throughout the state.

Though Barbara’s life was full of meaningful gratification, her favorite role was being a mother and grandmother. You might say her headdress was full of feathers. She gave this world four children: Pam (Stafford) Flynn (Michael), Wade Kobs (Debi), Cindy (Kobs) Huret and Buff Kobs (Cathy). She had 11 grandchildren: Amber (Flynn) Bruns (Mike); Brendan Flynn (Beree); Brian Kobs (Sara); Amy (Kobs) Bachman; Megan (Kobs) Hopson (Luke); Melonie Goodhue, who spent the last six years selflessly watching over and caring for her grandmother; Mandy (Goodhue) Butler (Bryan); Cassie Huret; Taryn Ouren (Tom); Cathrina Titus (Darren); and Ryan Corbeill (Kathleen); as well as 20 great-grandchildren.

Among a multitude of other things, Barbara’s children would speak of her helping others through her teaching and heartfelt, generous spirit; her teaching cooking, canning and the art of gardening to nourish the body and heart; and her teaching honesty, integrity and loyalty toward others. She often stated that all she wanted for her family was to help teach them to be “loving, independent people of good character and grace!”

Barb, as all her friends knew her, had a wonderful 100th birthday party last February with many friends and family from far and wide gathering at the Coeur d’Alene Eagles. She was in great form and enjoyed it tremendously. Thanks to all who participated. The family considers this the best send-off we could ever ask for, so there will be no other services planned.

Please visit Barb’s online memorial and sign her guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.