Barbara J. Thompson

Barbara J. Thompson, 57, died April 12, 2013, at the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.

A celebration of life in memory of Barbara is at 3:30 p.m., April 23 at Valley Funeral Home, 151 E. Herning Ave in Wasilla.

Barbara was born on Jan. 24, 1956, to Lloyd and Joyce (Vedvig) Peterson in Minot, N.D.

She was raised in Carpio, N.D., and graduated from Carpio High School in 1975. On Oct. 23, 1976, Barb married Jim Thompson and moved to Wasilla in 1985.

Barb enjoyed working in retail as the RTM clerk at Wasilla Lowe’s where she worked until she was no longer able. Barb had many talents and passions that included painting, golfing, gardening, and spending time with Jim and their dog.

She was a very accomplished oil painter and taught painting to several individuals. She sold many of her paintings, both privately and through several art galleries.

The family wrote: “Barb always had a smile to give us; as a ‘fighter’ she was a ‘strong warrior’ with all she went through with her ‘cancer’ she kept a positive attitude. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.”

Preceding her in death were her grandparents, stepfather-in-law, mother in-law, brother in-law, cousin, and several aunts and uncles.

Those who shared in her life: husband, Jim Thompson; step-son, Scott (Heather) Lee, four step-granddaughters, one step-grandson; parents, Lloyd and Joyce Peterson; siblings, Steve (Colleen) Peterson, Colleen (Doug) Zabka, Gregg (Joan) Peterson, Jodi (Murray) Bock, and Mark Peterson; step-mother in-law, Shirley Hintz; in-laws, Steven (Nancy) Thompson, Sandra Farroh, Dayle (Dutch) von Ehrenfried, Mary (Vern) Maner, Cynthia Gerke; many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and endless friends.

Arrangements by Valley Funeral Home and Crematory.