Barbara Lewis Paulson

After recently suffering a debilitating stroke, our beautiful mother, Barbara Lewis Paulson, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 26, 2023. She passed on a day of warmth, sunshine, and brilliant blue skies, with her daughters and son-in law by her side.

Barbara was born on April 11, 1928 in Columbus, Ohio to George C. and Anna C. Lewis. Her father died when she was 12 years old. After attending Ohio State University for one year, Barbara, her mother and younger brother George moved to Southern California to join her older sisters Betty Lu and Martha who had previously moved there for employment.

It was through her eldest sister Betty Lu that in 1948, at the age of nineteen, Barbara began what would be her long and illustrious career at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. She and the other women in their title as “human computers” hand plotted trajectories of rocketry missions through only the use of a mechanical pencil, light table, and graph paper. This group was indispensable in the budding technologies that would evolve into tools for space flight, secure communications, spacecraft navigation and control, and planetary exploration.

Barbara worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for 45 years, retiring in 1993. In 2016, author and scientist Nathalia Holt wrote the New York Times bestseller, Rise of the Rocket Girls, a book about Barbara and her fellow computers that gave light to how this amazing group of women broke the boundaries of race, gender, and science. Its publication gave mom, at 88 years of age and her fellow “Rocket Girls” an opportunity to share the experiences they had during the historic dawn of the Space Age.

Barbara met our dad, Harry Paulson, at Pasadena Presbyterian Church through their young adults group and were married at the church on February 21, 1959. They had two daughters: Karen Marie, born on October 9, 1960 and Kathleen Ann, born on March 27, 1964. They resided first in Monrovia, California and then in 1975 moved to Glendora, California where they maintained a beautiful home and Barbara was able to cultivate her love for planting flowers all around their yard.

At the age of 84, Barbara moved to Clive, Iowa in 2012 where both daughters were living with their families at the time. Residing at Walnut Ridge Retirement Community allowed Mom to continue to live the active life she was accustomed to despite the cold winter months. She couldn’t quite figure out what we Iowans do with ourselves to keep us busy and entertained during the Winter!

First and foremost in Mom’s ’s life was her faith in Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She taught many years of Sunday School at both Glenkirk Presbyterian in Glendora CA and her beloved Lutheran Church of Hope, was involved in Women’s Ministries and played an important role In the formation of the 50+ group at the church as well. Dear to her heart was Freedom for Youth Ministries, a youth social service organization in Des Moines. A piece of her heart went into every sack lunch and hot meal she helped provide to the children in their after school and summer programs.

Barbara was a beloved wife, mother, grandma, “GiGi”, aunt and sister-in-law to family from coast to coast. She kept in touch with all by phone and cards that she lovingly chose for birthdays. Holidays, especially Christmas, were very important to Mom and to her family and we all will forever cherish those times together.

Barbara is survived by her daughters Karen Bishop and Kathleen (Kevin) Knutson; grandchildren Jonathan Bishop (Laina), Kyle Bishop (Kelsey), Harrison Knutson and Corrine Knutson. She will be deeply missed by her five cherished great- grandchildren: Aria, Emery, Elliot, August and Madeline. Barbara also leaves behind her beloved sister-in-law Virginia “Ginny” Lewis (with whom she spent many lovely days visiting at Ginny and Barbara's brother George's cottage on Cape Cod); nieces Barbara (Dave) Alden, Darin (Pedro) Brito, Dana Lewis and Amy Lewis (Larry) Rea; nephews Dave Lewis (Denise Martin), Daniel Lewis, and Charles Lewis, as well as their cherished children, step-children and grandchildren, including Andra Triplett, Jeron Lewis, Mason Vincent-Lopez, Charles Regan, Matthew Regan, Taylor Howard, Breygan Lewis, Jenna Gonzalez, Jeremy Lewis, Gabby Brito, Lyle Rea and Neil Rea along with their beloved families. She is also survived by cousins Beth Hellenga Purdue (Randy), Brian (Sheila) Hellenga, Glenn (Lisa) Palm and John (Cindy) Bittner and their dear families as well.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, along with her sisters- and brothers- in-law Martha (Don) Vincent, Betty Lu (Albert) Johnson (and previously deceased husband, Charles Regan), brother, George C. Lewis Jr, nephews Norman Vincent and Jeff Regan, niece-in-law Linda Regan and many other dear family members and friends.

It gives us all great comfort to know that our beloved Barbara has only left us in the physical sense. Her spirit is now rejoicing with family and friends that have gone before her. We can just hear our Dad say, “Barbara, where have you been?” She’s home with you, Daddy! Glory to God in the highest!

Barbara's family wishes to thank the following people and outstanding organizations that cared for Barbara so faithfully and well during the last week, and years, of her life:

Erin Netteland D.O., the staff and nurses at Walnut Ridge Care Center, her Physical and Occupational therapists including her dear friend Ashley Mundt, beloved friend Chaplain Pam Avaux of Lutheran Church of Hope, "Honorary Daughter" Suzy Lowe, her faithful Lutheran Church of Hope Bible Study and 50+ Ministry friends and most recently the AMAZING Nurses and Aides at MercyOne Hospice in Johnston, Iowa. Blessings, gratitude and love to you all.

Barbara's Celebration of Life service will take place in the Chapel at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa, on Monday, July 3rd, 2023 at 11:00 am. The family will greet visitors from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on the day of the service, and will host a luncheon provided by the Church in the Bridge after the service. Service will be livestreamed through Hope OnLine.

Barbara's servant heart particularly loved being involved with several ministries at Lutheran Church of Hope, and also with Freedom for Youth, an organization that provides meals, counseling, shelter, and vocational training for at-risk youth in Des Moines. Memorial donations may be made to either organization in Barbara's name.

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