Pansy Pauline Achenbaugh

Pansy Pauline Achenbaugh, age 100, passed away in her sleep on 5 March 2015, at St Luke's Extended Care Facility in Ronan Montana

Pansy was born on 6 February 1915 in Corning, California to Charles James Owens and Hazel Mable (Wink) Grundy.

She was raised with her brother Jesse (Bud) Ernest Owens and three half brothers, Elwood Eugene, Curtis (Curt) Edgar and William (Honey Bill) Arthur Barba

As a young girl Pansy worked in farming, picking fruit, as in a small town like Gerber, there was not much for a young lady in business.

She first met and married William Glen Knox about 1933, had a daughter, Shirley Rose 27 Jul 1935 and Billy Dale 8 Oct 1936. The marriage ended in divorce.
She then married a wonderful man, James Junior Achenbaugh, 21 May 1942. They had no children of their own.

Pansy hired on at McClellan AFB in Sacramento California in 1956 and worked in Civil Engineering as a typist until 1970 when she retired. After moving to Polson she worked at for a while at Funke & Son's Clothing Store, Darlene's Dress Shop and Midway Furniture Store, now Harbor Lights, all on Main Street.


Throughout her life she lived in Corning, Gerber & Red Bluff, Tehama County; Gridley, Butte County; Westwood, Lassen County; Sacramento, Sacramento County, California and Polson, Lake County, Montana.

Pansy was a very talented woman. She made most of her clothes including work suits and dresses. Some were knitted. Her hobbies in addition to knitting were crocheting, quilting, painting and learning to play the organ. She was also a great cook.

She attended Polson Community Church. She and Jim both enjoyed visiting people that were homebound and taking them goodies.

Jim was an avid hunter and many times Pansy was right there by his side, hunting with him. She was there with Jim one time when he got a Moose; in fact she actually spotted it.

Pansy joined Order of The Eastern Star of California 428, El Comino, Sacramento, California. She was elected 14 Mar 1961 and initiated 28 Mar 1961. She transferred her membership to Order of Eastern Star of Montana, 53 Mystic Chapter Polson, Montana in 1973 and resigned in 2000. At one time Pansy served as Chaplain and had helped serving at the Shrine suppers for many years.

Pansy and Jim moved to Polson, Montana in 1972, a few years after their close friends Orson and Alice Delay had moved to Montana. Jim had met Orson at the base in California where the families had become very close.

Pansy is survived by her spouse, James J. Achenbaugh, daughter-in-law Ellen Achenbaugh, Polson, grandson Brian (Debbie). Spokane, Wash, granddaughters, Kathy Williams, Connie Myers and Paula Fraser, many great-grandchildren, living in Colorado and Washington, and many nieces and nephews in Montana, Oregon and California.

Pansy was predeceased by her daughter Shirley Rose Knox, son Billy Dale Achenbaugh, grandchildren, Linda Achenbaugh and Stephen Dale Leckwold, brother's Jesse (Bud) Earnest Owens, Elwood Eugene Barba, Curtis (Curt) Edgar Barba and William (Honey Bill) Arthur Barba.

Pansy will be missed by her family and friend's.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Her final resting place will be in Tehama County Cemetery, California where most all of her family members are buried.

Read Pansy Achenbaugh's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.