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Mary Jane Barz

1923 - 2015

 

Mary Jane Barz
October 4, 1923 - January 28, 2015

Mary Jane Barz, age 91, of Garner, IA, most recently a resident of the Concord Care Center in Garner, and formerly of Klemme, IA, passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at the Concord Care Center in Garner, IA. Funeral Arrangements are being completed with the Andrews Funeral Homes, Klemme, IA. www.andrewsfuneralhomeandfloral.com 641-587-2510.

Visitation for Mary Jane Barz will be Saturday, January 31, 2015 from 5-7 p.m. at Andrews Funeral Home in Klemme, Iowa 528 East Main St. and will continue one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Monday. Funeral Services will be Monday, February 2, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme, IA. The Rev. Donna Buckman will be officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery-Mason City, IA. Mary Jane Barz, age 91, of Garner, IA, most recently a resident of the Concord Care Center, and formerly of Klemme, IA, died, Wednesday, January 28, 2015, at the Concord Care Center in Garner, IA. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2015, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church, Klemme, IA. The Reverend Donna Buckman officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, IA. Visitation will be on Saturday, from 5-7 PM at the Andrews Funeral Home, 528 East Main Street, Klemme, and will continue one hour prior to the funeral services at church Monday. Memorials may be directed to the donor's choice.

Mary Jane Holm, the daughter of Robert and Minetta (Armstrong) [obit error - Newgard] Barz [obit error - Holm], was born October 4, 1923, on the family farm in Hancock County, Britt, IA. She attended and graduated from Britt High School and then continued her education for two more years graduating from Iowa State Teacher's College, Cedar Falls, IA. Following her college graduation she taught elementary school grades 3rd & 4th at Klemme schools for three years until 1946.

Mary Jane was united in marriage to Milvern Barz on June 14, 1946, at her parent's home in Garner, IA. The couple's union was blessed with a son, David, and daughter, LuAnn. The couple farmed and raised their children in rural Hancock county. In 1971, Mary Jane became employed at Winnebago Industries in Forest City, IA, where the couple were both employed for many years. After retirement from the company Mary Jane and Milvern operated the Slippery Elm Golf Course in Klemme for 18 years. They truly fulfilled this role well with their very outgoing, warm, and friendly personalities, as well as their attention to detail and pride in the golf course.

Following their retirement from the farm they moved in to the town of Klemme in 2001, where they resided in the Klemme Apartments for a time and eventually moved to Garner, Iowa, to the Prairie View Apartments in September 2005. Milvern preceded his wife in death on March 31, 2006. Mary Jane continued to live in the Prairie View Complex and later the Cardinal Grove Assisted Living, until becoming a resident of the Concord Care Center where she had resided for the last year.

Mary Jane loved the music of the 1930's and 40's and over the years she and Milvern could often be found on an excursion to go ballroom dancing at the Surf in Clear Lake and various other venues around the region. Almost always when you would saw Mary Jane, Milvern would be nearby or the if you crossed in Milvern's pathway, Mary Jane would be close at hand. They were often inseparable and were referred to as "Two Peas in a Pod". Mary Jane enjoyed the simple things of life, including her role as a wife, and life partner, mom, grandma, and great grandma. Her church life was very important to her and she had fulfilled many different roles in the church family. In earlier years her and Milvern shared their vocal talents in the church choir and quartet singing for funerals and other occasions. She was also active over the years in the Klemme Potpourri Club, Grandma's Club, and various other community activities. Her and Milvern relished every precious occasion that they were able to spend time with their grandchildren and great grandchildren. No matter how busy they may have been everything else could be put on hold for these special times with them. The grand kids often reflect on them as the "Greatest Grandpa and Grandma". Grandma G.G. as they often called her was one of a kind in their hearts and minds. Mary Jane had a keen memory and knew all her family and friends by name. She and Milvern could often be seen tooling about the countryside on an afternoon drive, playing cards with family and friends, or dining out an area restaurant.

Those who had the opportunity and privilege to cross her life's journey will cherish memories of her warm nature, beautiful smile, twinkling and warm eyes, and her patience and friendly demeanor.

She will be remembered fondly by her son, David (Jane) Barz, Tripp, South Dakota, daughter, LuAnn Verdoorn, Cedar Rapids, IA; grandchildren, Brad (Lisa) Barz, St. Cloud, MN, and their children, Vance, Jack, and Carter; Elizabeth (Ryan) Noonan, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and their children, Rowen, and Laila; Rebecca Barz, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Mary (Matt ) Fosness, Webster, South Dakota and their children, Mason, Dawson, and Bryson; and Will Rucker, Ames, Iowa; also numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Milvern, a sister, Lucille Boyenga, and a grandson.

source: Copyright © Andrews Funeral Homes, 561 1st Street Southeast, Belmond, Iowa, Phone 641-444-4474; [www.andrewsfuneralhomeandfloral.com ]
 

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