Barbara May Wells Severson- was born in Santa Ana, California, on May 29th, 1928 and passed away peacefully on June 11, 2026 in Hughson, CA. On a warm summer day, August 17, 1947, Barbara married her high school sweetheart, Richard Severson, in Los Angeles, California. Their marriage would become a remarkable partnership built on love, faith, family, and shared dreams. In 1961, they realized one of those dreams when they purchased a ranch in Ballico, California. A year later, they became devoted members of Delhi Presbyterian Church, where they faithfully served and actively participated in congregational life. Barbara’s faith was the cornerstone of her life, and she cherished her church family as an extension of her own.
Life on the ranch in Ballico brought Barbara immense joy and countless treasured memories as she and Richard raised their three sons, Rick, Michael, and Scott. As a devoted homemaker and mother, Barbara poured her heart into caring for her family. She found great satisfaction tending to her garden; spending peaceful afternoons weeding, watering, and harvesting. Her kitchen was equally beloved, often filled with the aromas of cherished family recipes prepared with love and care. The Severson home was filled with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, embodying a true farm-to-table way of life.
Barbara and Richard remained on the ranch until 2013, when they sold the farm and moved to Samaritan Village in Hughson, California. There, they found a welcoming community and happily called it home for the next thirteen years.
As a mother, Barbara was unwavering in support of her sons, faithfully attending and encouraging their many activities and accomplishments. Beyond family life, Barbara and Richard shared a love of travel and adventure. Together they explored much of the United States, Canada, and Alaska in their family RV, creating lasting memories along the way. Her adventurous spirit also carried her across the Atlantic, where she enjoyed visiting several countries throughout Europe and embracing the beauty and culture of new places.
One of Barbara’s greatest blessings was becoming a grandmother. She delighted in every opportunity to celebrate birthdays, holidays, sporting events, and family gatherings, always beaming with pride and joy. Her grandchildren fondly remember days spent on the ranch with Grammy—working alongside her in the garden, helping prepare lunch for Grampa, and learning treasured family recipes in her kitchen. Those simple moments became cherished memories that would last a lifetime.
In her later years, Barbara continued to find joy in life’s everyday blessings. She loved reading, listening to music, savoring fresh fruit from local farm stands, and cheering on her favorite teams, the Golden State Warriors and the San Francisco Giants. She could even, from time to time, be found browsing the internet on her iPad or keeping up with family and friends on Facebook.
In 2017, Barbara was thrilled to become a great-grandmother, a milestone she deeply cherished. Her love and joy for her great-grandchildren was unmistakable, and the sentiment was wholeheartedly reciprocated. The kids will never forget how she would light up when they walked through her door followed by, “Oh, would you look who it is!!” Visits to "Great-Grammy’s" were filled with cherished moments such as enjoying yummy snacks around Grammy’s table, wheelchair rides around the property, Lincoln Log building sessions on the living room floor and the never forgotten sweet treat that somehow always snuck into pockets on the way out the door! She often expressed her gratitude by saying, “I live for these visits, and not many get to have this opportunity!”
Barbara was especially grateful to welcome and love upon her fourth great-grandchild, Kolbe, who was born last year. Meeting him brought her immense happiness and completed yet another beautiful chapter in her family’s story.
Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 78 years, Richard and her great granddaughter, Sienna. She is survived by her three sons, Rick (Lynn) Severson, Michael Severson, and Scott (Kimber) Severson; her five grandchildren, Alex (Kate), Maya, Jeffrey (Elizabeth), Kiku (Alex), and Claire Severson (Erin); and her four great-grandchildren, Sienna, Liam, Lucianna, and Kolbe Severson.
Though she will be deeply missed, her family finds comfort in knowing she has been reunited with Grampa. Barbara leaves behind a legacy of unwavering faith, enduring love, hard work, generosity, and family devotion. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know and love her.
The family of Barbara Severson extends its heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Samaritan Village and Community Hospice for their compassionate care, kindness, and commitment to preserving dignity and comfort.
Benediction- “You go nowhere by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you. Wherever you are, our Lord has a purpose in you being there. Christ who indwells you has something he wants to do through you where you are. Believe it and go in His grace and power.”
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Delhi Community Presbyterian Church. 15917 El Capitan Way, Delhi, CA 95315-9754, or Community Hospice & Health Services online at hospiceheart.org or mailed to 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356
