Barbara Joan Olson
November 23, 1939 to September 16, 2024

Barbara was born in Woodlake, California and raised in Glasgow, Kentucky. In 1959 Barbara returned to Woodlake until moving to Humboldt in 1962, where she made the North Coast her home with her family. Barbara lived as a Christian and through her faith in Jesus Christ has been granted the gift of eternal life. She attended Ridgewood Heights Baptist Church for over 55 years. Barbara loved gospel music and praised the Lord through song.

Barbara was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and sister. She had two loving husbands who both unfortunately passed; Lawrence in 1983 and Mel in 2012. She loved her fur babies, especially pomeranians, as she always had one or two of them in her home along with her doll collection. While it has been years, Barbara was a member of Pacific Redwoods Breakers C.B. club, her handle “Kentucky Lady.” The members always had events planned — a day at the river, camping, potlucks, dances, gift wrapping booths and jamborees. During election years she worked polling locations. Barbara was proud to have volunteered for the Humboldt Co. Sheriff’s Office. She was a part of S.C.O.P., promoted to FTO and later sergeant. She volunteered for over 15 years.

Barbara is survived by her daughters, Connie Harlow Daniels and Lori Burkhart; son-in-law Scott Burkhart; grandchildren Bradley Larson, Christopher Burkhart and partner Traci Lozinto, Deven Burkhart and partner Kaela Borba, along with great-grandchildren; Keith and Jacob Burkhart and their mother Shantel Burkhart. She is also survived by her sister, Virginia Wilkerson of Glasgow, Kentucky and her son Bruce Wilkerson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, along with her sons Gary Olson and wife Joannie, Shawn Olson and wife Nikki and grandchildren William Wiffing, Shawn Olson, Matthew Cook, Dani Cook, Jamie Williams and Cheyenne Olson.

Thank you to Timber Ridge Renaissance and Hospice of Humboldt. We are grateful to Barbara’s medical team and all others involved in Mom’s care. Everyone was professional, while being kind and compassionate. To the hospice chaplains, God Bless you all for praying for and with Barbara and providing for her Christian values.

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be at a later date by private invitation.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Barbara Olson’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.