Barbara Ann Chappel
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Barbara Ann (Gleason) Chappel was born to Adelbert "Dell" and Mellesina "Millie" Gleason, March 7, 1931 in Hibbing, Minnesota. Barbara passed away September 19, 2021 at the age of 90.
In an area known as the "Iron Range," Barbara grew up in Hibbing, Minnesota. Born to a musical family, with her mother and sisters playing piano, she developed her own voice which eventually led her to singing on her very own radio show as a young adult.
In 1949, Barbara met Bud Chappel at Hibbing Junior College where they attended the Snowball Dance as their first date. They married in 1953 and, after 67 years of marriage, she never stopped playing pranks on Bud.
After Bud finished college in Fargo, North Dakota to become a pharmacist, they moved out west to Washington and raised their family of four in Stanwood. While her children were in school, Barbara eagerly contributed to the community by teaching Sunday school at St. Aidan's on Camano Island, was an active board member of the Stanwood Camano Food Bank and Sno-Isle Library, and fulfilled the role as proud "den mother" to the campfire girls and cub scouts of the Cedarhome neighborhood. She loved being around children and especially loved teaching them etiquette, as she said, "good manners don't cost anything." After her children were grown, she opened Saratoga Fudge & Coffee in downtown Stanwood which she ran from the early 1980's to 1990's. A great conversationalist with quick wit, she loved meeting new people, connecting with the community, and of course good coffee and chocolate.
Barbara and Bud's home was a natural gathering place over the years. Spending time with her loved ones meant the most to her, and she loved to host parties for their friends and family. Eventually these parties turned into traditions with her grandchildren, who knew her as Nana. Birthdays spent together, dying Easter eggs, trick or treating, holiday baking, and Christmas table gifts, are a few of the traditions that meant so much to her.
Barbara was a voracious reader and loved learning about everything, especially history and art. She loved a good story and was habitually involved in book clubs with friends. Keeping up with the latest trends in fashion, she always lent her closet to her grandchildren playing dress-up. During the summers, her family spent most of their time at their beach cabin on Camano Island. There she loved to lay in the sun, play card games with neighbors, and sleep outside under the stars. She saw beauty in many things around her and loved to share that with others.
To her loved ones, Barbara was an encourager. She taught her children and grandchildren to take risks and make things happen for themselves. She supported her family to travel and see the world. She engaged in real conversation and debate. Her family knew well to "smile like Nana," and to enjoy the blessings God has given us. There was no one more protective, or proud, of her family. For all who knew her, her death leaves a hole that will never be replaced.
Barbara is preceded in death by parents Adelbert "Dell" and Mellesina "Millie" Gleason; husband Clyde "Bud" Chappel; sisters Jean, Helen, and Tamson; brother George; sister-in-law Marylu Chappel Odegard, and dear friend Beth Anderson.
Barbara is survived by her brother William "Billy" Gleason (Yvonne), children Andy Chappel (Laura), Steve Chappel, Heidi Chappel (Lou), and Buff Walker (Dan); grandchildren Shea (Tom), Maggie, Sarah (Jay), Emily (Hans), and Stephen; along with dear family friends Jere Palmer; Roseann Lindell and family; Deanna McDowell; and Barb Zelmer.
A private family graveside service for Barbara will be held at the Scandinavian Cemetery in Stanwood, WA. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
The family is very grateful for the dedicated care given to Barbara at Skagit Valley Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Chappel Family Scholarship Fund, through the Stanwood Camano Area Foundation, for a scholarship to a SHS graduate.
Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood, WA.