Underwood, Barbara Ralphine 1924-2011

UNDERWOOD, HALLOWAY, GREINER, KLAMPER, GUESSFORD, MANNEL, DUNN, MORGAN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 1/7/2015 at 09:33:16

Barbara Ralphine Underwood (1924 - 2011)
Jefferson

Barbara Ralphine (Halloway) Underwood reached the end of her downward spiral and struggle with Alzheimer's and moved on to her eternal home of happiness when she passed away on November 10, 2011 at Regency Park Nursing and Rehab Center in Jefferson at age 87 years. She was a resident there since 2004 and had done volunteer work there prior to that.

Ralphine was born in Venice, California on February 10, 1924, the second child of Roger and Florence Greiner Halloway. The family soon returned to Churdan, IA where Ralphine was graduated in 1941. She then attended AIB business school in Des Moines. Her primary vocation was that of wife and mother, but she also worked for periods as a secretary with the Greene County Soil Conservation office and later in life in the Jefferson school system food program department.

Ralphine was married to her high school sweetheart, Boyd Underwood, on November 23, 1944. They resided in Jefferson for the rest of their lives. Boyd passed away in August 1994, just three months prior to their 50th wedding anniversary celebration.

In addition to her husband, Ralphine was preceded in death by both parents, her brother, Stanley, and all three of her brothers-in-law. She is survived by her five children: Ted Underwood of Pella; Cil (Richard) Klamper of Basalt, CO; Jeff Underwood of Fort Dodge; Annette Guessford of Des Moines; and Lori (Dan) Mannel of Jefferson; eight grandchildren and one great-grandson: Trapper and Jim Underwood (and his son Aidryk); Eric Klamper, Erin (Colin)Klamper Quinn, Rachel Guessford, and Morgan, Madison, and Molly Mannel; sister Rachel Dunn of Melrose, MA; brother Donald (Michele) Halloway of Sun Lakes, AZ; brother Bill (Gloria) Halloway of Columbus, GA; sisters-in-law Genevieve Mason of Fort Dodge and Rowena Morgan of Jefferson; a number of nieces and nephews and countless cousins.

Ralphine had been a member of both the Methodist and Abundant Life churches in Jefferson.

Her body will be cremated as she wished. A private family service will be held and the cremains buried in the Jefferson cemetery family plot at a later date.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to her doctors, Regency Park, and Hospice Program staff for their dedication and the care they have provided. May she rest in peace and reclaim joy in heaven.

Memorials may be given to Regency Park of Jefferson.

Published in Des Moines Register from Nov. 12 to Nov. 13, 2011

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/desmoinesregister/obituary.aspx?pid=154553459#sthash.f7LKV898.dpuf ~ The Des Moines Register Legacy, Des Moines, Iowa 13 Nov 2011.