Barbara Lynne Manke was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to George and Margaret Spears on September 19, 1934.

When she was 13, Barb's family moved to the West Coast. She graduated from high school in Centralia, Washington. Barb went on to school at Seattle Pacific College where she met John Manke on a blind date, and after three months they were married on May 16, 1953. She had intended to get a nursing degree, but instead got a "Mrs." degree! She later returned to school, earning an LPN license. The first few months of marriage were spent in the Mansfield, WA, area, after which John spent two years in the army. A son, David, was born to them during that time.

After John's discharge from the service, they moved back to Mansfield. While there, they were blessed with a daughter, Lynda Marie. The family moved to the Wenatchee, WA, area and spent 18 years raising their family there.

Barb and John moved in 1976 to the Warm Beach Christian Camp and Conference Center. Barb went on to work eight years as an LPN at the Warm Beach Senior Community.

After leaving Warm Beach, she and John were mobile park managers and apartment managers in the Everett and Seattle areas. They both retired in 1996 and returned to volunteer full time at Warm Beach Christian Camp and Conference Center, where they lived in their 5th wheel RV for four years. They moved to Warm Beach Senior Community as residents in 2001.

Barb became active in the Ceramic Club and spent many hours enjoying her hobby. As a couple, John and Barb enjoyed house-sitting for several families. For vacations they loved cruising and spending time aboard ship.

Barbara is survived by her husband John of 59 years, son David Manke and his wife Peg, daughter Lynda Roodzant and her husband Dale, grandchildren Rachel Ballard (James), Jessica Zielinsky (Mark), Danielle Manke, Michael Stemple, and great grandson Joshua Ballard, one brother Don Spears and his wife Lenora, several cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends, including special friends Yvonne and Wayne Washburn who treated her as a Mother figure to them.

Barb's greatest desire in life was to be a true example of Jesus Christ's Love and Grace. She looked forward to the day when she would spend full time with her Lord and Savior.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, Sept. 16, at 2:00 PM at Beachwood, Warm Beach Senior Community. Memorials may be made to the Warm Beach Senior Community Chaplaincy Fund.