Gerken Barr, Agnes (1922-2008)
BARR, GERKEN, HAAHR, BODHOLDT, ANDERSON, WORTHAN, WEBSTER, JANSSEN, HELMING, STONER, WILSON, GEMEINER, BUFFINGTON
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 5/8/2010 at 12:39:36
Agnes Gerken Barr - Aug. 1, 1922 - Mar. 11, 2008
Agnes Gerken Barr, age 85, of Newell, Iowa, died Tuesday, March 11, 2008, at the Newell Good Samaritan Center.
Agnes was born on August 1, 1922, in Newell, Iowa, the daughter of George and Anna (Bodholdt) Haahr. She spent her youth in the Newell and Sulphur Springs (Iowa) area, attending grade school and then graduating from high school with the Class of 1939 from Providence Consolidated School in Sulphur Springs.
On October 9, 1941, Agnes was united in marriage to Eldor L. Gerken in the Nain Lutheran Church parsonage in Newell. The couple was blessed with five children: Judith Ellen, Robert, Roberta, John Allen and Janice Elaine. Agnes and Eldor raised their family on their farm northwest of Newell. After many happy years of marriage, Eldor died in 1979. Agnes was married to Arthur O. Barr on September 11, 1982, in Nain Lutheran Church in Newell.
Agnes was a very capable woman who loved a challenge. She could fly a plane, drive a tractor, make delicious 21-day pickles, and bake wonderful Haahr kringles and yardstick pastries. She took five-minute power naps, and rumor has it that she drove with a lead foot. Agnes loved the Lord and served him in many capacities as an active member of Nain Lutheran Church in Newell, including teaching Sunday School and serving several terms on the Church Council. She was a 4-H Leader and a member of Toastmasters Club and The 99’s Flying Club. Agnes was also an entrepreneur and operated Gerken’s Candle Cottage for many years, and then later, a Shaklee business.
Above all, her family was always her priority. She treasured each individual and made everyone feel special. Despite her busy and varied life, she shunned the limelight and wanted no fuss made over her. She will be remembered by family and friends alike as a kind and caring person, and she will be deeply missed by all those who loved her.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Arthur Barr of Newell; daughter Judy (Roger) Anderson of Storm Lake, Iowa; son John (Nancy) Gerken of Jefferson, Iowa; daughter Jan (Gary) Worthan of Storm Lake; daughter-in-law Linda Barr of Renton, Washington; grandchildren: David (Norma) Anderson, Susan (Steve) Webster, Steve (Amy) Anderson, Matt Gerken, Melissa (Matt) Janssen, Emily (Ryan) Helming, Mandy (Tanner) Stoner, Ryan (Amy) Worthan, Gabe (Emily) Worthan, and Shannon (Natalie) Worthan; step-grandchildren: Kurt Barr, T.J. Barr and Tamera Barr; great-grandchildren: Danielle, Malea, A. J., Sydney, Jillian, Addison, Ava, Tegan, Owen and Savannah; extended family and many friends.
Agnes was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Eldor Gerken; infant son and daughter Robert and Roberta Gerken; sisters Alma Wilson, Dorothy GeMeiner and LeVerne Buffington; and step-son, Tom Barr.
Funeral services for Mrs. Barr will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. at Nain Lutheran Church in Newell with Reverend Tom Dettmer officiating. Burial will be in the Newell Cemetery. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Newell is in charge of the arrangements.
Friends may call on Friday, March 14, 2008, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Newell where the family will be present from 6:00 to 8:00.
The family suggests that any memorials be directed to Nain Lutheran Church, 414 West Jensen St, Newell, IA 50568 or the Newell Historical Society, PO Box 5, Newell, Iowa 50568.
Copyright © 2008, Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home
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