March 16th, 1939 – January 5th, 2022 (Age 82)
Longtime resident Barbara Goulart Knisley has passed away in Spokane with her loving family by her side.
She is in the arms of Jesus and her best friend, her beloved husband Ray.
Barbara was born in Turlock, California. She was the second born to Albert and Garnet Goulart. Barbara was the apple of her dad’s eye.
She graduated from Modesto High in 1957.
Barbara had met the love of her life, Ray at Central High School in Fresno.
They dated for a few years and were married on June 16th, 1960 at Parkside Wedding Chapel in Reno, NV.
After they were married, they moved to Medford, Oregon where their first child Dan was born.
Two years later their daughter Denise was born and they moved to Lovelock where they lived for over 50 years.
They lived at Big Meadow Ranch for 13 years where both Barbara and Ray were employed by Brinkerhoff Ranch.
In 1979 they moved to lower valley and years later, Barbara retired and farmed with Ray.
Barbara’s family was very important to her and they enjoyed going on family vacations as well as the sand dunes with extended family and friends.
She also loved her fur babies very much. Barbara loved working outside and her yard and flower garden was always well cared for and beautiful to look at. She had such a talent taking care of her yard which was so relaxing to her.
Barbara was very much involved in her faith and was active in the church choir, would go to the Nursing Home on Sunday after church to minister to the patients with Ray, participate in potlucks and do work both inside and outside of church.
Barbara was a member of the Big Meadow Homemakers who would get together at each other’s houses for dinner and games. She enjoyed entertaining and had many friends.
Barbara had started a softball team named “Brink’s Wheaties” whom won many trophies locally and at tournaments.
She was an amazing softball player and sure could hit that ball! She enjoyed playing with friends as well as her daughter.
Barbara always had a smile on and loved to help people. She was a volunteer at Pershing General Nursing Home and Senior Citizen Center.
She would go visit the residents many days a week at which time she would get them to play games, sing worship songs as well as participate in a church service on Sunday.
Barbara loved to dance and would even get the residents out of their rooms and dance with them.
She loved to share the news of the Lord with all she met and made it her will, to make people smile and feel loved.
Barbara won Volunteer of the Year Award and was presented the award in Columbus, Ohio where Ray and Denise flew in and surprised her for the ceremony.
Barbara is preceded in death by her husband Ray, parents Albert Goulart, Garnet Sweet and brother Stan.
She is survived by her son Dan (Tracy), daughter Denise (Curt), grandchildren Leighton, Wade, Austin, Kent, Mallory, Jenise, Ann; 9 great grandchildren, sister Elaine (Larry) as well as many nieces and nephews. Barbara will be greatly missed.
A private family burial will be held. A celebration of life will be held in the spring to honor Barbara. The time and place will be announced at a later date once established.
