Barbara Bontrager

Barbara "Bobbi" Bontrager, 51, of Port Orchard died at home from cancer on Sept. 15, 2007. She was born Oct. 8, 1955 in Tacoma to Robert and Evelyn Nelson. Barbara graduated from South Kitsap High School in 1973. She went to medical training and had a career in the medical field. Barbara married Terry Bontrager in July 1983. She was a medical assistant at Advance Medical Imaging and a member and past president of the Gallopin Gertie Chapter of the Model A Ford Club of America. Barbara was a volunteer firefighter/EMT with South Kitsap Fire and Rescue during the 1970's and early 80's and served as pageant director with Gingerbread Productions in Washington, and soon expanded her duties to Idaho, Oregon and Northern California. Barbara enjoyed vintage car events, pageants, traveling, camping, sewing quilts, Relay For Life, and her grand and great grandchildren. Barbara is survived by her husband Terry; daughter Katie Staples; sons Robbi (Jen) Staples, and Barry (Kathy) Bontrager; sisters Patti Thomas, Leslie Stowell, and Dee Dee (Avery) LaVair; brothers Larry (Carol) Nelson and James Nelson; grandchildren Kayla (Ben) Kelly, Melissa Bontrager, Allison Staples, Robert Staples Jr, Justin Askren Jr, and Jared McCarthy; great grandchild Tyler Kelly. Barbara had a great sense of humor and will be greatly missed by all. Memorial services will be at Rill's Life Tribute Center in Port Orchard on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 11AM. Donations can be made to Hospice of Kitsap County, South Kitsap Fire and Rescue, or American Cancer Society.