Barbara "Bobbe" Marie Hollenbeck

Barbara Marie Hollenbeck "Bobbe" died peacefully November 16, 2023 in Bellevue, Washington, at the age of 91. Bobbe was born December 10, 1931, to Herman and Melvina Chappell in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. A precocious child she entered the first grade at age four spending her early years in north Idaho where her father was a logger before moving to Spokane where she attended North Center High School for one year. When the family moved to Tensed, Idaho to open Chappells restaurant, bar and dance hall she attended Plummer High School where she played basketball and was a cheerleader. She skipped her junior year at Plummer High School graduating when she was 15 years old.

Bobbe loved to dance and her first date with her future husband was a dance in Fairfield, Wash. She married Dean R. Hollenbeck on June 15, 1947, in Tekoa, Washington. Together they had two children Deana and Rod. She loyally followed her husband Dean's career with the Washington Water Power Co. (now Avista) from Tekoa to Moscow to Kendrick, Idaho where she was a US Farm Census taker, Cub Scout den mother, an avid baker specializing in her famous red velvet cake and began a life-long association as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society. They moved back to Tekoa where they enjoyed boating and water skiing on Lake Coeur d' Alene, bowling and golf. In 1967 they moved to Colfax where Dean was the District Manager for the WA Water Power. While in Colfax she worked as a sales clerk at Tick Clock Drug Store, a secretary at Kirkpatrick and Utgaard, finally ending her work life as the volunteer coordinator for the Whitman County Council on Aging.

Upon retirement in 1987 Dean and Bobbe moved to their favorite vacation spot- Priest Lake, Idaho for ten years where they lived overlooking the third hole of the golf course. Besides golfing they enjoyed snowmobiling, boating and many friends. The next years were spent as "snowbirds" between Tucson, Ariz., and Liberty Lake, Wash. followed by thirteen years as full-time residents in Sun City West, Ariz., enjoying old friends from Whitman County and Priest Lake as well as new ones from all over the US and Canada. While in Sun City West they continued their love of golf and playing cards but had to stop their snowmobiling, trading snow for fulltime sunshine. While in Arizona, Bobbe was an avid golfer, line dancer, swimmer and part-time painter of Dean's many beautiful woodcarvings. In 2013 they moved to Newcastle, WA to be closer to family. After her husband's passing in 2014 Bobbe moved to The Garden Club in Bellevue, WA where she made many wonderful friends.

Bobbe read two daily newspapers and did the crossword puzzles, loved long phone conversations and was a sharp card player to the end. She was a loyal friend who never missed sending a card for any birthdays, anniversaries or other occasions. She lived life to the fullest with a strong positive attitude and unending determination until two weeks shy of her 92nd birthday.

Bobbe is survived by her son Rod (Margo) Hollenbeck of Bellevue; three grand-children Tyler (Sarah) Hollenbeck of Mercer Island; Kira (Jed) Collins of Bellevue; Doug (Carlee) Hollenbeck of Bellevue and 6 great grandchildren (Dean, Palmer, Perri, Levi, Briggs, Elora) all of whom gave her great joy. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dean, daughter Deana, and her sister Bonnie Crotteau.

Bobbe will be interned at Tahoma National Cemetery with her husband, Dean. Memorials may be sent to The Shriners Hospital for Children, PO Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210 or the charity of your choice.