McFarland, Barbara Lee Taylor (1928-2018)

MCFARLAND, TAYLOR, FJETLAND, HOUGLAND, POLSON, COLE, SATHER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:00

South Hamilton Record News, Jewell, Iowa, August 15, 2018

Barbara Lee McFarland, 90, passed away peacefully in her home August 6, 2018 from complications of Alzheimer's. She was surrounded by her entire family. Barb was born April 21, 1928 to Vernon and Dena (Fjetland) Taylor in Highview, IA in an apartment above a gas station.

Barbara's parents moved frequently while she was growing up during the depression. Her father worked for FDR's government program WPA rebuilding America. She and her four siblings attended many different schools before ending up back in Jewell.

She met Merlin McFarland as a teenager when she was working as a ticket taker at the local movie theatre. He was a movie buff and eventually a courtship began. They were married June 29th, 1946 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. A small ceremony with family and a few good friends. Barb and Merlin enjoyed returning to the church for many annual renewing of the vows ceremony held each August. Their most recent visit was three years ago. At that time they won the prize for longest married couple having celebrated 69 years just a few months prior. Their 72nd anniversary was last June.

After marriage they lived on the farm helping on the McFarland's family farm. In 1956 Merlin's parents built a new house in Jewell. And Merlin and Barb remained on the farm until 1992. Barb was a loving housewife and mother of Michael (1951) and Judy (1954). Once the kids went to school she also took on other jobs making Pronto Pizzas in Randall, several seasons at the Turkey Plant in Ellsworth, then in the late 60's she started working as a cook and lunch lady at South Hamilton Schools for nine years.

In 1976 Merlin expanded the farm operations raising and selling feeder pigs building a 20 sow farrowing unit. Barb enjoyed farm life with her best friend and partner Merlin. In 1992 she had a major heart attack and they soon retired from farming and moved off the home place to Jewell. In 2008 they moved to Ames for four years then eventually settled in Walnut Ridge in Clive.

Barb has always enjoyed being with family and her many friends. She loved to cook and bake. She was well known around Jewell for her Kringla, brownies and cream puffs filled with vanilla pudding. Her and Merlin began taking orders, selling them locally during the farm crisis in the mid 80's. Barb loved traveling, fishing, puzzles and playing cards, she was the only member of the family that could solve the Rubik's cube. She and Merlin were actively involved in the Jewell Gold and Country Club. She enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren clear up to her mid 80's. She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Jewell. She was very active with the activities at Walnut Ridge until her dementia symptoms started in 2014.

Barb is survived by her husband Merlin of Clive, IA, daughter Judy McFarland Des Moines, grandchildren Chris Hougland West Des Moines, Jennifer (Mike) Polson of Urbandale, IA, Jonathon (Nursel) McFarland of Des Moines. Great grandchildren: Ethan Hougland, Brooklyn Hougland, Isabella McFarland and Jon Michael Polson, and many nieces and nephews.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents, son Michael Dean McFarland; brothers Frederick and Richard Taylor, sisters Virginia Cole and Alice Sather.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Barb's home care provider Jerrica Amerison Smith who for two years took excellent care of her so she could remain at home where she wanted to stay.

After cremation Barb will be laid to rest at the Jewell cemetery. A celebration of life is planned at Walnut Ridge 1701 Campus Drive in the chapel Sunday, August 19th at 3:00 p.m. With family visitation following the service in the Harriet Nelson room also at Walnut Ridge. Family requests in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Cards may be mailed to Merlin McFarland 1701 Campus Dr Apt 1431, Walnut Ridge, Clive, Iowa 50325.