Barbara Ann Lambert

Barbara Ann Weydert Lambert was born in Dubuque, Iowa on July 7, 1941. She grew up on a farm in Peosta, Iowa, along with her six siblings. She attended schools in Peosta and graduated from Clarke College in Dubuque in 1963. She worked at a law firm and at John Deere Works in Dubuque, and then graced Loras College in Dubuque as secretary to the Academic Dean and to the President. In 1976 she met the love of her life, Richard Thomas Lambert, who came to Loras for a year as a visiting professor of philosophy. They struck up a relationship and were married at St. Joseph the Worker church in Dubuque on June 14, 1978. They honeymooned in various European countries, starting and ending in Ireland. Upon their return to the US, they moved to Helena, Montana, where Rich taught at Carroll College. They moved quickly to start a family, and welcomed three wonderful children, Greg, Chris, and Emily. Barb’s most important job was as a full-time mother to their children, but she also took on part-time work as a substitute teacher and an Avon cosmetics representative. In later years the couple moved back to Dubuque, where they thought they would live out their lives. But fate intervened to present them with two terrific grandchildren, and they moved west to be near them. They spent their last years together at Brookdale Senior Living in Boise, Idaho. Barb died on May 9, 2025, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Boise from complications following a surgery.

Barb was an all-round beautiful person, physically and personally. She maintained her attractive blond appearance her whole life, to the point that her youthful looks and personality were the wonder of the Brookdale dining room. She was considerate of other people, especially in her passion for sending greeting cards to people (sometimes even dogs) in times of celebration or need. While not a big sports fan, she did love Chicago Cubs baseball. Barb enjoyed travelling with her family, pursuing trips to New York State, Florida, and Iowa while living in Montana, and agreeing to several cross country moves. She loved music, including early rock and roll (especially her idol Elvis Presley) and classic Broadway shows like “Oklahoma.” She enjoyed meals together with family and friends, and salads, ice cream, and hot coffee. She was a loyal Catholic and attended great parishes in Helena, Dubuque, and Boise; her final parish was Our Lady of the Rosary, with its terrific music.

Barb is survived by Rich, her loving husband of almost 47 years; her children Gregory (Siri Smillie) of Missoula, Montana, Christopher of Washington, DC, and Emily (Justin) Peterson of Nampa, Idaho; grandchildren Tyson Lambert Peterson of Nampa and Charlotte Marie Lambert of Missoula; siblings Kathleen Luckritz, Gerald Weydert (Mary Kay McDermott) and Roger (Mary) Weydert, all of Dubuque, and Ronald (Terri) Weydert, of Bullard, Texas; several nieces and nephews; special friends Karen Michels and Donna and Roger Loewen, of Dubuque, and Elfriede and Ramon Schuety of Helena. She was preceded in death by her parents Harold and Marie Weydert; her siblings Carolyn, Richard, and Ann Marie; brother-in-law Jim Luckritz; and several uncles and aunts.

A service for Barb will be held at Our Lady of the Rosary church in Boise at 11:00 am on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, with viewing starting at 10:00 am. Her burial will be later this year in Centralia, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Barb’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Special thanks go to the ICU staff at St. Luke’s Hospital, to the staff at Our Lady of the Rosary church, and to John Volkers and Mary Mason for their unfailing help at the church.