Barbara Ann Burnside passed away on March 4, 2024 after a short illness surrounded by family at her home in Fortuna. Barbara was born in San Franciso to Harry “Blackie” Freeman and Janice Ingraham Freeman on August 7, 1938. Her father “Blackie” was an accomplished logger in Humboldt County, which gave her the unique experience of living in several logging camps in her early years along with her younger sister Marty Freeman and her brother Harry Freeman Jr. She attended school in Fortuna, where she met her future husband Lars David Burnside in the 8th grade. On June 21, 1955 Barbara married Lars in Stevenson, Washington. They always made Fortuna their home, celebrating their 68th Anniversary together last year. On August 9, 1955 they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Trudi Anne Burnside. Then on June 15, 1961 they welcomed their second child, a son named Lars David Burnside Jr.

Barbara will be fondly remembered for her brilliant and unforgettable smile. Her smile would light up any room as she often would visit and care for elders throughout her life. She had a great passion for collecting hatpins in her travels with her sister Marty. She also loved strawberries in almost anything. One of Barbara’s many talents were making Angel food cake from scratch. She would always buy fresh strawberries and local whipped cream to enhance the cakes! Barbara also enjoyed finding and buying collectibles that she would then resell at her booth at the Fortuna Antique Mall.

Barbara loved to travel with her cousin Cheryl Pirrozoli. They made several memorable trips to Hawaii. On one such trip, for Barbara’s 70th birthday, Cheryl had Trudi (incognito) join them secretly on the same flight to Hawaii, where they spent a never-to-be-forgotten visit on the Big Isle. Barbara also loved feeding the hummingbirds and sparrows in their backyard.

Barbara and Lars shared a deep love for family, friends and community. She especially enjoyed her time spent, being around all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Music also was an important part of their love story from the early years, when Lars played saxophone to their later years where they could be found dancing in the hallway of their home to “Through the Years” by Kenny Rogers.

Barbara is survived by her husband Lars; her sister Marty Carlson and her husband Bill Greenwood, her brother Harry Freeman Jr. and his wife Gail; her daughter Trudi Burnside McKamey and her husband Mark, her son Lars Burnside Jr. and his wife Cindy. She has four grandchildren; Chandler Burnside Sawyer, Lars David Burnside III and his wife Audrianna, Nicole Woodruff and her husband Michael and Kelsie Lipscomb and her husband Boden. She has nine great-grandchildren; Brayden, Kynslie, Keely and Bodie Lipscomb; Larson, Emma, and Liam Burnside; Ridley and Sawyer Woodruff.

Donations in Barbara’s name can be made to Hospice of Humboldt, www.hospiceofhumboldt.org.

Graveside services for family and close friends will be held at Sunrise Cemetery, 3315 Newburg Road, in Fortuna on June 21 at 1 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Fortuna River Lodge Conference Center in the Steelhead Room, 1800 Riverwalk Drive,  Fortuna, directly after the graveside service at 2 p.m., which will also be Barbara and Lars’ 69th wedding anniversary.