Barbara Ann Schonewald

Barbara Ann Schonewald, 76, of Moses Lake, Wash., passed onto Heaven on Oct. 16, 2024, following a valiant battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family who had cared for her for many months. 

Barb was born Oct. 26, 1947, in Yakima, Wash., to W. Grant Harris and L. Barbara (Peggy) Harris. The family moved to Moses Lake in 1952 during the height of the Columbia Basin Project.    

She graduated from Moses Lake High School in 1966. Throughout her life she remained close friends with many classmates, especially the Chicks of ‘66.

While attending Big Bend Community College, she met Patrick Davis of the Royal Slope. They married in 1967. While Patrick was deployed to Vietnam, she lived with family and worked at Jack’s Bargain Barn. While stationed at Fort Lewis, they welcomed daughter Heather in 1972.  

Following a divorce, Barb returned to Moses Lake. She worked at the Hallmark Inn, Swartz Electric, Marchand Construction, Samaritan Hospital and Columbia Colstor. While working for Brown & Root USA, she met Doug Schonewald. They married in 1989 and blended their families with the addition of Doug’s three children, Aaron, Ben and Cara.

Barb was a natural caretaker and the first to offer if she knew someone was in need. She had a loving and generous heart. She loved being in nature, especially camping by the ocean and the St. Joe River, and birding with Doug and friends. She was a gifted cook and hostess. Visitors were always greeted with an offer of something to eat or drink. She was a devout grandmother who often traveled long distances to be with her grandchildren for holidays and special events. Barb loved classic movies, reading, and studying her Bible. On a warm morning, she could be found on her patio with a book and coffee, enjoying her lovely flower garden, and pets by her side.

For many years, she shared her beautiful voice with the First Presbyterian Choir. Most recently, she served on the MLHS Alumni Association Scholarship Program Committee and was a Mentor Mom for MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) until she was too ill to continue. She cherished her time serving in these capacities.

Barb was predeceased by her parents and her older brother, Jim Harris.  

She is survived by her loving husband, Doug Schonewald of Moses Lake; daughter Heather (Don) Zaraski of Graham, Wash.; stepchildren Aaron (Michelle) Schonewald of Royal City, Wash.; Ben (Katie) Schonewald of Brigham City, Utah; and Cara (Benjamin) Espinoza of Fresno, Calif. She is also survived by her brother, Dick (Eloise) Harris of Villa Park, Calif., and sister Nancy Harris (the late Ron Neal), Spokane Valley, Wash.; and her cherished 13 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Nov. 8, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the Moses Lake Presbyterian Community Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local MOPS Group, quilting guild or scholarship fund.

Barb was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, auntie and friend. She will be deeply missed by all.

Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at https://bit.ly/BASCHONEWALD. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.