Barbara Jean Olinger Unck

Barbara Jean (Olinger) Unck passed away at home in College Place on February 21, 2019, at the age of 77, her faithful dog Charley by her side. She was born on April 6, 1941 in Milton, Oregon to Gilbert ‘Gib’ Olinger and Mildred (Hill) Olinger.

Barbara graduated from Mac-Hi in 1959 and attended the University of Oregon before returning home to help her father run the lumber yard, JE Olinger and Sons .  She went on to graduate from Eastern Oregon University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

After graduation, Barb moved to Portland, Oregon, where she pursued a career in broadcast sales for TV and radio, before again returning to the Walla Walla Valley to help with the lumber yard.  She also worked for KUJ radio, Rogers Walla Walla and later, Key Technology.  She returned to Eugene, where she served as House Mom for the Alpha Chi Omega sorority from 2001 to 2018.  She returned home to Walla Walla for the final time last summer to be closer to her family.  She enjoyed her final year tracking her grandsons various endeavors, and spending quality time with family.

She loved golf, football, basketball, and the Oregon Coast; and developed a taste for watching baseball during Eddie’s high school years.  She loved Eddie’s friends and made multiple trips during his college years up to Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.  She also enjoyed many opportunities to travel with her Daisy Duck friends to watch her beloved Oregon Ducks.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Bob Olinger, and her step-son Mark Unck.

She is survived by step-daughter Jodie (Marty), step-sons Mike and Jason (Tammy) Unck and her youngest child, Eddie (Andrea) Unck; and, three grandsons, Brennon, Jackson and Simon Unck.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 11:00 am at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home in Walla Walla and is open to the public.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be given to the Duck Athletic Foundation, 2727 Leo Harris Pkwy, Eugene OR. 97401, in Memory of Daisy Duck Barbara Olinger Unck.