Barbara Jean Lewis

Barbara Jean Lewis (Wind) passed away on August 26, 2024. She was 98 years of age. Bobbie was born on October 12, 1925 in New London, Iowa to Horace Christian (Barney) Wind and Mabel Ruth Obermann Wind. She had two younger brothers Jay and Richard Wind and grew up in Burlington, Iowa graduating from Burlington High School June 7, 1943. She attended Olivet Nazarene College in Bourbonnais, Illinois majoring in speech, drama and English and graduating with honors June 1947. Bobbie married Harry Richard(Dick) Lewis August 6, 1947 at the Burlington Church of the Nazarene.

Bobbie and Dick moved to Greeley, Colorado in 1949. Bobbie became an English teacher and Dick a principal/teacher at Nunn High School. They also taught school in Kersey, Colorado and Holly, Colorado.

Bobbie and Dick had two children: Kathi (Ralph) Van Soest in 1955 and Rob (Kathy) Lewis in 1957. They moved to Broomfield,Colorado in 1958 when Dick became principal of Broomfield Junior/High School in 1958.

Bobbie obtained her master’s degree in 1965 in the area of reading at the University of Northern Colorado (Colorado State College) and became a reading teacher at Louisville High School and Centaurus High School. She later became a Secondary Reading Specialist for the Boulder Valley School District. She continually worked toward her doctorate at UNC in Greeley.

Bobbie and Dick moved back to Greeley in 1985 when they retired to be close to family. They enjoyed teaching adult Sunday school at Greeley First Church of the Nazarene, time in Red Feather and Mesa, Arizona.

Bobbie valued her friends and family. She always found ways to celebrate life and the accomplishments of others. She saw the best in people. She was gracious and kind, had a beautiful spirit and was a blessing and inspiration to others. She was a beautiful example of Jesus’ love, full of strength and wisdom and loved by so many.

Bobbie is survived by her daughter Kathi (Ralph) Van Soest of Greeley, CO; her son, Rob (Kathy) Lewis of Gill, CO: a grandson, Eric (Heidi) Van Soest of Greeley, CO; a granddaughter, Lindsay (Chris) Gentle of Windsor; a granddaughter Mandi (Howard) Wright of Greeley, CO; great grandchildren Maddi Van Soest, Zach Van Soest, Cooper Van Soest, Charlee Van Soest, Peyton Gentle, Avery Gentle, Alyssa Wright, Eden Wright, Ella Wright, Jordan Wright; step granddaughter Corin (James) Womer; step granddaughter Bree (Brad) Kyger; step grandson JJ (Nicole) Buxman; step great-grandchildren Savanna McSwain, Robert Womer, Delaney Womer, Braylon Kyger, Brex Kyger, Kayla Buxman; and step great great grandchildren Natalie, Julia and Megan.

Bobbie was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Dick Lewis (2017), her parents HC (Barney) Wind and Mabel Obermann Wind, her brothers Jay Wind and Richard Wind, her baby sisters Betty Jane and Fritzi Marceile, her sisters-in laws Virginia (Jay) Wind, Pearl (Jay) Wind and Elaine (Rich) Mylander Wind.

A Celebration of Bobbie's Life will be October 12 at 10:30 a.m. at Greeley First Church of the Nazarene; 2515 W 16th Street; Greeley, CO 80634.