Barbara Lynn Pies, 88

Barbara Lynn (Roth) Pies passed away at home, surrounded by family, on August 19, 2026, at the age of 88. She is now wrapped in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Barbara was born in Spokane, WA on June 24, 1938. She was the only child of Milton and Constance (Connie) Roth. Milton worked for International Harvester Company and was transferred all over the U.S. every four years, to which Barbara attributed her lifelong strength and independence (oh, and being Norwegian and German!). The family moved to Seattle, WA when Barbara was a toddler. When she was 10 years old they were transferred to Oakland, CA. That was Barbara's introduction to horses, which quickly became her lifelong passion. She took her first riding lessons at the Oakland Riding Academy. 

At age twelve they transferred to Harrisburg, PA. Barbara became the youngest member of the Junior Beaufort Hunt Club. She rode cross country through pastures and over fences following the hound, who was following the pre-dragged scent of the fox. What fun! Jumping became her new favorite hobby. She rode in the Pennsylvania National Horse Show and has a whole collection of ribbons from her years of dressage. Barbara was still riding horses into her 80's. 

After another transfer back to Seattle, Barbara graduated from Lincoln High School in 1956. She was still riding and showing hunters and jumpers. Barbara graduated from the University of Utah (Salt Lake City) with a degree in Sociology where she was a member of Alpha Phi Sorority. She moved back to Seattle and obtained her teaching certificate from the University of Washington. She was an elementary school teacher for several years. 

Barbara was chosen to be a Science Demonstrator at The World's Fair held in Seattle in 1962. This is where she met her future husband, Kenton T. Pies, an artist, after they fought over a prime parking spot a few days in a row. Kenton and Barbara married in November 1962. They remained in the pacific northwest working and raising their two daughters, until they retired to Plains, Montana in 2005. Their home in Plains, as Barbara proudly said to everyone she met, was "my favorite place that I have ever lived, and I lived in a lot of places." It truly was paradise for both of them. 

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, and husband Kenton who passed in 2022 at the age of 90. She is survived by her daughters Trevi Pies and Kolette (Doug) McDonald, and her grandchildren Mikayla and Dylan McDonald, and many cousins. The family will have a private burial ceremony and requests that all memorials be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, or local support groups for caregivers. We are so grateful for the kindness and prayers of the Plains Alliance Church, friends, and family, as well as the nurses and caregivers of hospice who treated our mom with such dignity and tenderness.