Barbara Ann Botsch

Formidable is not a word that is often used, yet perfectly describes Barbara Ann Botsch, who passed away peacefully after an incredible nearly 95 years on this earth. An only child born on April 9, 1930 to Peter Botsch and Ethel L. Reed, in Norfolk, Nebraska and would spend the first years of her life on the family farm. There were stories of her sometimes riding her horse to school.

After graduating from Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska, as a speech major, Barbara headed for Washington DC to enroll for a graduate course in political science at American University. To support herself while going to school, she took a job on Capitol Hill and for seven years worked for Rep. Victor Knox, R. Mich. As most of the work was completed on Master’s Degree, she began to campaign for Barry Goldwater and would work for Barry Goldwater’s wife for twenty years as her personal secretary. In an article she saved, there was a quote from Barbara saying “I can’t think of any experience that equaled the night Goldwater was nominated.” Barbara was extremely well informed and well read. History was her passion. Even in her last days, Barbara would recount detailed stories from the past. Throughout her life Barbara was politically informed and used her speech and debate training to make her opinions and thoughts heard.

Barbara later returned to Nebraska where she was heavily involved in the Chamber of Commerce. Barbara started with the Chamber in 1966 as the executive director of the Women’s Division. In 1972 she moved over to the Government Affairs Council where she was the Chamber’s lobbyist for 20 years.

Never married, Barbara moved to Sandpoint after a friend introduced her to Sandpoint and it was love at first sight. She was an avid golfer and lived in Hidden Lakes, enjoying that area, playing bridge and doing community service, including serving on the Chamber of Commerce. As her vision failed, she designed her home and moved to Sandpoint. Not letting her vision issues stop her, Barbara continued to serve and because of her passion for history, she soon joined the Bonner County Historical Society. She was on the Board from 2007 until 2023 and was Board President part of that time. She was involved in everything, but was particularly interested in exhibits and strategic planning, building connections between the Museum and the community and advocating for Historical Society initiatives with local and state politicians. In recent years, she was an invaluable source of perspective to newer board members, sharing her knowledge of past triumphs and lessons learned, always guiding BCHS down the best path forward.

She was devoted to her Church, North Summit, and although legally blind, she and her dear friend Jeannette Langlois would go to the Church every Thursday and join the “holy folders” in preparing the programs for the Sunday services. And even with impaired vision, she would continue to cook and bake pies for those Thursday get-togethers. 

Formidable to the end, she made her political views widely known. After being a politically active Republican throughout her life, she lamented, “Where have all the good Republicans gone? Why the fear to speak up? This is the second time in my life I haven’t voted for a President.” To the end, she made her voice heard. 

Barbara was fiercely independent and although her health had declined, primarily from falls, she continued to live in her home with help from her loyal friends and caregivers. Her kitty Tiggy was the love of her life. She is survived by her cousins in Norfolk and Omaha. Nebraska.

She will be missed for her dedication to the community. She has made a difference in many lives

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 22 at 10:30 at the North Summit Church with lunch to follow. Please come and help us celebrate this amazing woman.