Barbara Dowdy-Trabke

NEW HAMBURG, Mo. -- Barbara Ann Dowdy-Trabke passed away Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011, in Reno, Nev., from complications of breast cancer.

She was born Barbara Ann Kluesner on the family farm in New Hamburg on Nov. 17, 1946, to Norbert and Arabella Kluesner. After her marriage to Asa Dowdy Jr. in 1968, they first lived in St. Louis for one year until their big move to Fairbanks, Alaska, where they built a home and raised four children. Soon after the tragic death of their youngest daughter, Barbara and Asa divorced. In 2004 Barbara married Daniel Thaddeus Trabke and shortly following moved to Reno where they have resided for the past seven years.

Her daughter Heather Angela Dowdy preceded her in death.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Daniel Thaddeus Trabke of Reno; her mother and father, Norbert and Arabella Kluesner of New Hamburg; her younger siblings, William, Norman and Mary Lillian Kluesner of Missouri; her three children, Ace Dowdy III and Rachelle Dowdy of Fairbanks and Jennifer Lindsey of Portland, Ore.; and her granddaughter, Zoe Lindsey of Portland.

After the loss of Heather to a drunken driver, Barbara and Asa restarted a charter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Fairbanks and gave many public speeches for this cause.

The Catholic Church, always significant in Barbara's life, was a large part of her social communities. The members of St. Raphael in Fairbanks always held a special place in her heart.

A celebration of Barbara's life will be held at 9 a.m. Monday at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church in Reno. A service at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Fairbanks will be announced at a future date.

Capitol City Cremation and Burial in Carson City, Nev., is in charge of arrangements.