Barbara Lee (Hild) Klingensmith

Barbara Lee (Hild) Klingensmith, 83, of Leechburg, PA, passed away at home on Tuesday, March 9, 2021.

She was born on March 7, 1938 in Washington Township to the late Dorothy O. Hild and R. Vincent Hild.  She graduated from Washington Township High School in 1956 followed by her graduation from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1960.  Upon graduation, she taught in elementary school grades in New Kensington.  After marrying her husband, David B. Klingensmith, she ended her teaching career and took on the new tasks of becoming an Army wife and mother of three children.

During those and some following years, she found work that fit her schedule and desires.  She was last employed as the Office Manger of an electronics design and manufacturing company located in Northern Virginia.  Barbara left that job when she moved back to Western Pennsylvania to assist her widowed mother and mother-in-law.  She quickly adapted to coming back home and took joy in participating with others at Inner Strength and volunteering in activities at the Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society.  She was a member of the Hebron Evangelical Lutheran Church in Leechburg.

Survivors include her husband of Leechburg; and their children, David C. Klingensmith (Elizabeth) of Houston, TX, Jennifer L. Bendel (Thomas) of Chesterfield, VA, and Rebecca M. Lankford (Anders) of Broomfield, Colorado; her grandchildren, Micah, Emma, Burke, Charlie, Christopher (Tabitha), Todd (Shannon), Madison, Orson and Avery; and great-grandchildren, Calista and Nicholas.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mabel P. and Charles S. Klingensmith; and her brother-in-law, C. Denny Klingensmith.

Visitation and funeral ceremonies will be private for her family.  The Clawson Funeral & Cremation Center, 170 Main Street, Leechburg (724-842-1051) has been entrusted with her arrangements including private interment at Plum Creek Cemetery. 

Barbara lived a good life, but it was overtaken by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.  Until those came into her life, she enjoyed life and those around her; and she will be missed dearly by all.  In memory of Barbara, donations may be made to the Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society, PO Box 156, Leechburg, PA 15656. 

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