Barbara Joan Wasem

Barbara Joan Wasem, age 82, passed away unexpectedly on February 22, 2026 surrounded by her family. Born in San Francisco, CA on May 8, 1943, to Thomas J and Dorothy E Timmons, Barbara did not know a stranger and loved spending time with family and friends in both Visalia, CA and the Bitterroot Valley in Montana. She is survived by her husband John Wasem, her children Janet Martinusen (Jack) of Visalia CA, Brian Wasem (Amber) of Castro Valley, CA, Scott Wasem (Denise) of Visalia CA and Julie Wasem (Barbara) of San Francisco, CA, her 13 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and all of her beloved friends. She is also survived by her sister in-law Susan Sevier (Rodney) of San Diego, CA and her half-sister Laura (Marion) Timmons-Rowlinson of Connecticut. We cannot forget to include her constant canine companion, Charlie. She was preceded in death by her parents Tom and Dorothy Timmons, her parents in-law Leota Wasem and John Wasem, as well as her stepmother in-law, Elaine Wasem and brother in-law William Wasem. Barbara will be remembered for her positive attitude in life, her generous heart, her unending capacity to make her friends feel special, and her unwavering love of her family. She endured many physical hardships, yet never complained. In her early years in San Diego, Barbara was captain of her high school flag team in 1960/61 and sorority queen for Beta Sigma Phi in 1966. Barbara worked for Visalia Unified School District in many capacities over the decades, retiring as a school secretary in 2001. She was awarded the Visalia Educational Foundation Certificate of Recognition at Golden Oak Elementary School in 1997 and the Classified Employee of the Year prior to her retirement. She was involved in many of her kids' school and sports activities throughout her life. If it involved her kids and their activities, she was always there to help. Barbara assisted her husband John and a few others in bringing AYSO soccer Region 129 to Visalia back in 1976. After John and Barbara married in 1962, they spent their first years together in National City, CA (1962 -1966) and San Jose, CA (1966-1976). John's work brought them to Visalia, CA in 1976. For the past 37 years, John and Barbara have divided their time between Visalia, California and the Bitterroot Valley of Montana, where they have many cherished friends in both communities. Barbara was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Parish in Visalia, CA and St Francis of Assisi Parish in Hamilton, MT. A rosary will be prayed for Barbara Friday, March 20, 2026 at 7 pm at Salser and Dillard 127 E Caldwell Visalia CA, with a Memorial Mass at 1pm Saturday, March 21, 2026 St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church 5049 W Caldwell Visalia CA. A Celebration of Life reception will be held immediately following at the Visalia Country Club 625 N Ranch Rd Visalia CA. A memorial service will be held for Barbara in Montana later this summer.

Barbara Joan Wasem

May 8, 1943 - February 22, 2026