Barbara Ann Dickens Kazlauskas was born August 4, 1934 to John & Anna Dickens in Chicago, IL. She had 2 older brothers, Richard and Arthur. Her brother James (Jimmy) came shortly after Barbara. On August 25, 2024, Jesus wrapped His loving arms around her and granted her wish to move on peacefully, at home, with family.
Barbara had a conversation (quite a few) with the Lord and said ‘The past 4 months have been really hard. I’m ready to see my angel baby Allan, but I’m worried about my family, especially my husband.’ She received the confirmation she needed to move on and have her family reunion with her baby, parents, brothers, and the family members waiting to hug and dance with her in heaven.
Barbara loved living on Kenton Ave. as a child with her relatives. She shared many fond memories of cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and the fun and love she had with them. As a child, she had a terrible accident. Her father took her on a Chicago bus to doctors and hospitals. They all said she will never walk again, take her home and care for her. Well, they didn’t know Barbara. Her determination and the love and care from her parents proved them all wrong. That love, concern, and caring for people and determination was solid the rest of her life. That is how she lived.
At the age of 10 the family relocated to her beloved Dakin Street. As everyone grew up, they all bought homes on Dakin St. (AKA Dickens Haven). She enjoyed living on the same block with her family, including her nieces, nephews, and then the great nieces and nephews for over 80 years. Her move to Idaho always felt like she was on a long vacation.
When Barbara was 15 she fell in love for the first time and had 4 beautiful children, Wally, Betty, John, and Allan, with Walter Hartje Jr. She fell in love for the last time in 1971 with Adam Kazlauskas and became a mom again in 1972 to an active 6 year old boy name Joey. She was a loving ‘Mama’ to her 5 children and was tough when she had to be with her kids.
Barbara did fall in love again, in a new way; she became a grandmother. She doted on all of those babies and loved every one of them as they entered her life. Not only her grandchildren, but her nieces and nephews babies also. Her heart just grew with every new family member. She was happy to have her 3 granddaughters because she had 6 grandsons. Boys, boys, boys, as she is still surrounded with 12 great grandsons who call her ‘GG’. She loves them with all her heart. She is famous for sending the kids single dollar bills for their birthdays. The kids love it too. Counting their singles to match their age was an exciting gift for the little ones as they giggled and counted again, and Barbara loved watching that as much as the little ones counted over and over.
Barbara can be proud of so much in her life, but she shared some of her greatest achievements with her grandchildren. A few of them include never going on welfare. Working hard and studying for her high school diploma. In May 1988, she had the loudest cheering section of children and grandchildren in the audience as she walked on the stage and received that piece of paper. The photos reflect her joy. She said she is so very proud of her grandchildren and the way they live their lives; good parents, good citizens, good people. She was proud of being a hard worker. When her kids were young she worked at Blackstone Store on Belmont Ave. She got another job at a company called AB Dick. She worked there almost 30 years, and with her cherished high school diploma, she became a valued employee and moved into very good positions in the company. She is very proud of loving God and having faith. She was very happy to serve the Lord at Tabor Church. She was on the board for many, many years. Her involvement with the Order of Eastern Star was impressive. She served as a Worthy Matron. She always supported and helped the Shriners also.
If Barbara wasn’t hard at work at AB Dick, she was hard at work at home. Barb and Adam would get away on vacations with family and friends whenever possible, and they truly deserved it.. After her career, she and Adam were able to go on many vacations and road trips. Wherever her grown grandchildren relocated, they went to visit and help them.
Everyone that meets Barbara is impressed with her. It is obvious she is a great lady and got 90 wonderful, blessed, years with determination and her ‘can do’ mantra. Her care and concern for others is exemplary. She was still working full time when she started caring for her elderly parents and her father in law. She is a woman of strong character; a prayful woman, God loving and religious. Family First, always! Some of her qualities include her generosity. If you need something, she gives extra. She puts others needs first. She has a great sense of humor and integrity. She is honest, fair, tough and gentle (as needed) thoughtful, sending cards to everyone for everything. She is all inclusive. Each holiday the family dinners grew in numbers and everyone was invited, from all walks of life, religion, and race. They were all absorbed into her family and loved. She is a loyal person and absolutely loves family traditions. She has passed this on to her family. Knowing Barbara is knowing a great lady.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Adam Kazlauskas. Her children, Wally Hartje III (Lori), Betty Mazer (Mike) John Hartje (Gayle Parades) Joe Kazlauskas (Janet).Her grandchildren Dan Libby (Emma) Kevin Libby, Jim Libby (Tiffany) Michelle Washow (Ben) Wally Hartje IV (Emily), Mark Hartje, Allison Hartje, Sydney Kazlauskas, Nathan Kazlauskas. Great grandsons, Ayden, Jackson, Daniel & Silas Libby, Drew & Spencer Washow, Walter V & Atlas Hartje, Grant & Dean Libby, Dayne & Adam Libby. Her oldest brother, Richard and his wife, Dorothy Dickens. Nieces & nephews: Shirley, Linda, Art, Keith, Steven, Denise, Donna, Judy, Linda, Karen, their spouses and children, along with her adopted family members, Jamal, Oumnia, and Ahmad, Sonja, Steve, and Gavin.
She is preceded in death by her dear baby Allan, her parents, John Dickens and Anna Knauthe Dickens, her brothers and sister in laws, Jim & Connie Dickens, Art & Lois Dickens, the family members she loved dearly. She will be sorely missed but she assured us we will all meet again with open arms. She believes love and families are forever.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 29, 2024 from 4:00-6:00 pm with a Funeral service at 6:00 pm at Bowman Funeral Parlor located at 10254 W. Carlton Bay Garden City, Idaho.