By Desiree Lee
On April 8, 2023, Barbara Ann Wilcox Beedle went to be with the Lord at Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska. Barbara was born in Ames, Iowa on February 24, 1936, the daughter of Merle Wilcox and Cecilia Ann Vera, she had one sister, Linda Rae Wilcox Sheriff. Her first husband was Dave Kulper. Together they had three children: Barbara “Punkin” Austin and her husband Fred, Dave Kulper and his wife Coral, and Grace Stevens.
Barbara’s second husband was Guy Beedle. They also had three children: Robert Beedle and his wife April, Guy Beedle Jr. and his wife Kim, and Evan Beedle and his wife Desiree. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and both of her husbands. She is survived by her six children and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her beloved grandchildren are Mark, David, Melissa, Katrina, Jason, Marilyn, Christina, Robert, Jesse, Angela, Eli, Brittany, Ryan, T.J., Ayden, Kenneth, Logan, Tysen, Anthony, and Austin.
In Alaska, Barbara’s family first lived in Fairbanks, and they moved to Cordova in 1939. In Cordova, Barbara worked as a telephone switch board operator, a clerk at a variety store, and she worked for the City of Cordova. A very social person, Barbara also sold Avon, fashion frocks, and Tupperware.
Barbara was very involved in the Cordova community. She was well-known as “The Mother of the Cordova Iceworm Festival” after being a chairperson for the annual event for several years and working with Darell Olsen and Mary Britt. In addition, Barbara was very active in the Women of the Moose. As a life member, she held many positions, including senior regent. Also, she was a member of the Cordova Senior Council, and she enjoyed attending the senior lunches. Furthermore, Barbara served on both the Cordova Election Board and the Native Village of Eyak Election Board.
Hobbies Barbara enjoyed were knitting, crocheting, playing bingo, reading, and traveling. Some of her memorable trips include traveling to India and Africa with Mera Kohler, taking a cruise to Mexico, and trips to Hawaii with her daughter Barbara, or “Punkin.”
For the past nine years, Barbara has been living in Anchorage at the Prestige Care & Rehabilitation Center due to complications from a surgery.
Many thanks to the friends who supported her by stopping in to visit her while she was living in rehabilitation care. We can’t forget Carolyn Anderson who befriended her while visiting where she was staying. Mom relied on her friendship until the end, as well as her youngest son Evan who stepped up to the plate from day one.
Since Barbara’s heart was always in Cordova, a celebration of her life will be held on June 10 at 2 p.m. at the Cordova Moose Lodge.
