Barbara Joyce Absec, 92

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister, Barbara Joyce Absec, 92, of Kellogg, Idaho, passed away peacefully May 21, 2023, at her home in Kellogg. She was born April 26, 1931, in Kellogg, Idaho. Barbara was the daughter of Charles and Rose Rinaldi.

Barbara has lived in the Silver Valley her entire life. She graduated from Kellogg High School in 1949 and maintained many relationships with those in the Class of ’49 during the years. After high school, Barbara attended the University of Idaho.

After her time in college, Barbara began a relationship with her future husband, Joseph Absec. The two married July 31, 1954, and would have four children, who they raised in Kellogg. The couple had been married for 60 years at the time of Joe’s passing in 2014.

Barbara began working for the Kellogg School District in 1969 as a teacher’s aide and eventually became a secretary at the Kellogg Junior High School when it opened at its new location on Bunker Avenue. Every student who purchased a "hot lunch" ticket during her tenure at the Junior High School came across her path. She retired from the school district in June of 1996.

She was a member of St. Rita's Catholic Church in Kellogg and a member of St. Rita’s Catholic Daughters.

Barbara loved and enjoyed her family; spending time at the family property on Lake Coeur d'Alene; cooking "her" spaghetti and meatballs (a Christmas Eve staple which many grandkids tried to replicate "her" sauce over the years, but it has yet to be duplicated); watching the grandchildren in all sporting and school activities imaginable; and vacationing with Joe on taking various trips after retirement.

Barbara is survived by her four children: Terry (Kate) Absec of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Mark (Cindy) Absec of Kellogg; Kent (Patty) Absec of Meridian, Idaho and Kelli (Tim) Hibdon of Athol, Idaho; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Joe Rinaldi of Kellogg; and a sister, Andrea McCrimmon of Escondido, Calif.; Barbara is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; grandson, Barry Absec; her parents Charles and Rose Rinaldi; and her sister, Patricia Higbee.

Vigil Rosary services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 26, 2023, at St. Rita's Catholic Church of Kellogg and the Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 27, at St. Rita's with Father Jerome Montez serving as celebrant. The interment will be held at Greenwood Cemetery of Kellogg. A reception/luncheon will be held at the Church Fellowship Hall following services.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent in Barbara’s name to either Hospice of North Idaho at https://www.hospiceofnorthidaho.org/donate/ or the Catholic Daughters of St. Rita’s Church in Kellogg.

Memories of Barbara and messages of condolence may be shared with her family online at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com. Shoshone Funeral Services, Kellogg, is privileged to care for the Absec family.