Barbara Lynn Koffel

It is with much sadness that the family of Barbara Lynn Koffel announces her passing.

Barbara Lynn (Hine) Koffel was born in Lebanon, Indiana on January 30, 1948, to Robert and Margaret (Frakes) Hine. She had an older sister Marjorie (deceased), and later an adopted sister, Carol James. She graduated from Olivet Nazarene College, and later married Jack Koffel in April 1973. They had two children, Philip and Elizabeth (Liz). Barbara also became stepmom to Barbara Steinhauser, Deborah Gaugler, Doug Koffel, and Sandra Kilby (deceased).

Barbara was a strong, resilient woman. She taught us how to be good humans, to always grow, and not be afraid of change and pain. She went back to school for her master’s degree in her late 40s, and began a career as a Hospice Bereavement Coordinator. She developed this skill and ran support groups for widows, and continued giving presentations long after she retired. She then started a new chapter in life after Jack’s suicide, when she was 56. She learned how to live on her own, took over her finances, and slowly rebuilt her life in a way that embraced adventure, growth, connection, and authenticity.

She began dating Tom Hopkins, Sr, who helped broaden her horizons, including traveling together to Russia, and they found they shared a love of travel, cruises, and birding. Tom loved her deeply, and gave her grace and compassion when she needed it. My mom started photographing the birds in Buffalo, MN, and discovered a new gift. She developed into a talented photographer in her 60s and 70s, initially concentrating on birds and flowers, and ultimately focusing on wildlife. She took countless photography trips over the years, including to Alaska for grizzly bears, glaciers, and bald eagles, Minnesota for black bears and loons, Nebraska for sandhill cranes, and Florida for various birds and gators. She also enjoyed photographing architecture, natural and urban patterns and anything else she could train her lens on around Europe, Russia, Egypt, New Zealand, Australia and various places around the US and Canada. She delighted in waiting for the perfect light, the perfect shot, the perfect angle; finding beauty all around her.

Barbara had a keen interest in people’s stories and what made them who they are today. She was as authentically interested in the stranger sitting next to her as the friend of 40 years. She cultivated deep friendships, and those in her chosen family shared support throughout the years. She was a surrogate mom to many, providing acceptance and a safe space for them. And she was the most amazing mom to her own kids. She loved us absolutely; she accepted and supported us each time we shocked her with a new life decision. She understood that relationships and people were more important than who was “correct”; and yet she also taught us about healthy boundaries in those relationships.

She had one more adventure in 2024. Phil and wife Fouzia gave birth to a precious baby girl, Barbara’s first grandchild. Barbara spent as much time with Nurbayt as possible, and reveled in making her smile or laugh. Now we will spend our future reminding Nurbayt of her grandma’s infectious laugh.

Barbara lived life to the fullest, and we are better for having been a part of her life.

She is preceded in death by husband, Jack Koffel; loving companion, Tom Hopkins; and step-daughter, Sandra Kilby (Koffel). She is survived by her children, Philip Koffel (wife, Fouzia), Liz Koffel, step-children, Barb Steinhauser (Koffel), Deb Gaugler (Koffel), Doug Koffel (wife, Joyce); granddaughter, Nurbayt and countless other loving family and dear friends. She was an avid adventurer and curious, dedicated photographer.

She is dearly missed.

Please click here to watch Barbara’s service.