Barbara "Barb" Jean (Cline) Huwe

Barbara Jean “Barb” Huwe was born on September 2, 1940 in Joplin, Missouri. She died on October 12, 2023 at her home in Irrigon, Oregon at the age of 83 years. She was adopted as a teen by her parents Olga J. and LLoyd H. Cline.
As she said “they were the best parents a gal could ask for” Barb grew up in Union Gap, Washington and graduated in the first class to graduate from Eisenhower High School in 1958. On October 10, 1958 Barb and Lon Wadekamper were married and started their family. During this union they were blessed with
their children, Lonette and Scott. On June 6th, 1970 Barb and Lon moved to Hermiston, OR and that is where she resided until their divorce in 1981. Shortly after that, she moved to Irrigon, Oregon where she has created and left her
legacy! In 1981, Barb started her retail business as Brown’s Truck Stop, which as most of us knew it as the only gas station and store in town. In the late 90’s Barb and Wayne rebuilt the station and added a laundromat. Irrigon was then the place to wash clothes! People came from all over the area and that made Barb proud. Customers would say that the laundry mat was the “cleanest and had the best
customer service”.
In the Summer of 1984, Barb and some friends started the “Irrigon Watermelon Festival” which has been a hit for the past 39 years. In 1985, she was involved in the establishment of The Irrigon Chamber of Commerce and also the formation of the Morrow County Health District. In the early 90’s Barb met the love of her
life and, as she called him her “Rose Bandit.” Their love was unconditional and one to admire. They were united in marriage on September 10th, 1993 in Reno, Nevada. Barb started over by helping Wayne parent Kimber and Kevin. 

As the years became even busier, her involvement in the community increased. She dedicated many years to serving as the Giving Tree chairman. She spent time gathering gifts and making holiday baskets. The greatest part was delivering them and seeing all the smiles on the faces of happy children. She was a member and
involved in Stokes Landing Sr Center and the AC Houghton Parent Club. Barb also championed the Irrigon watermelon festival softball tournament for many years to raise funds for the library in Irrigon. Bar was a huge “FOIL” - Friend of the Irrigon Library. She dedicated 22 years to get our community a library. Barb also served for 16 ½ years on the Oregon trail library board. In the beginning,
Barb had a dream of a mobile library and she and Wayne made it happen. 

In 2007, Barb and Wayne decided to sell “Huwes Has it All” and enjoy life. Of course they still had their rental business which continued to keep them busy. However, they made time to travel, enjoy life, and focus on quality, family time. Some of the trips that they took were clamming on the coast, snowmobiling in
Yellowstone, an African safari and hunting trip. They visited Tahiti, made a cross country road trip exploring the United States. They took a trip to Branson, Mo. and made great memories. They also went on a Caribbean cruise with an island visit. When she wasn't traveling you could find Barb cooking, knitting, crafting, or sewing. 

Barb's most prized possession was her Family. She is survived by; her husband - Wayne “rose bandit” Huwe, children - Lonette (Bruce) Fedio of Florida, Scott Wadekamper of Hermiston, OR; Step children - Kimberly Kimber (Shane) Slover and grandchildren - Hayley and Hunter of Deer Park, Washington. Kevin (Tasha)
Huwe Culver, OR. Grandchildren - Logan Wright Hermiston, Breana Wadekamper Arizona and Tyler (Olivia) and great grandson - Theodore Wadekamper of Washington. Daughter-in-law -Rebecca “Becky” Wadekamper of AZ.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at the Irrigon High School Gymnasium, Irrigon, Oregon. A potluck dinner will follow in the gym. 

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Barb's memory to Friends of the Irrigon Library (FOIL), c/o Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, P.O. Box 289, Hermiston, OR 97838.

Please share memories of Barb with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements. 

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