Barbara Joan Eby

Barbara Joan Eby passed away of natural causes on October 3, 2025. She was born on May 20, 1933, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, the oldest daughter of Henry and Sara (McGuinniss) Kuechler. A younger sister, Cheryl, followed in 1940. She grew up in Aberdeen and graduated from Central High School in 1951. She then went to work as a stenographer in a local bank.

In 1954, Barb married Robert Adler with whom she had 2 sons. They divorced in 1959, and Barb became a federal employee working for the General Services Administration (GSA). 1963 was a banner year for Barb and her boys as she met a handsome widower who became the love of her life. Barb met Carl Vincent Eby at a dance, and they first danced to “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” They were married on November 12, 1963, and continued “dancing” for the next 50 years. Carl adopted Barb’s two sons, Dane and Dirk. She in turn gained a son, Carl Jr., and a daughter, Mary Ellen. The family moved to St. Paul, MN in 1965 due to her husband pursuing a career opportunity with the Milwaukee Road. They then moved again for the same reason to Great Falls, MT in 1967 where they made their home at 1917 1st Avenue South. She and Carl kept their home until 2012 when they moved into The Lodge Senior Living Center in Great Falls. Carl passed away in August of 2014, and Barb continued to live at The Lodge until December of 2022. She then went to live at Park Place Health Care Center after having contracted and being treated for a bout of Covid-19 to continue her recovery.

Barb was a traditional homemaker, keeping house, working in her yard, and raising her children. She enjoyed growing flowers, bowling, dancing, and watching her grandchildren. She was an avid reader all her life with mystery novels being her favorite choice of books. The pies, cookies, and cakes she baked in her kitchen were beyond compare.

Barb is survived by her son, Dane (Lori) of Great Falls; daughter, Mary Perkins of Albany, Oregon; son, Carl (Nell) of Billings; brother-in-law, George Strickland of Puyallup, Washington; nieces, Kelly McGuinniss and Robin Kincaid; grandchildren, Christopher Perkins, Carolyn (Ed) Handl, Kenneth Rowe, Shawn (Shelly) Eby, Nathan Eby, Bret Eby, Matthew Eby, Daniel Eby, Sarah Boston, and Derek (Felecia) Eby; great-grandchildren, Ashly, Devon, Dylan, Caleb, Abigail, Ava, Grace, Lydian, Adam, Daniel, Sarah, Melody, John, Kaelynn, Cole, Ronan, Mabel, and Amelia. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carl; sister, Cheryl; and son, Dirk.

Cremation has taken place with burial at Highland Cemetery. No services are planned at her request.

Memorials are suggested to Benefis Peace Hospice in Great Falls.