Karen Esther Barber 1938 - 2025
BARBER, HEWITT, LOTHRINGER
Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 11/7/2025 at 18:00:10
The Onawa Democrat
15 October 2025Karen E. Barber, 86, of Onawa, Iowa passed away Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at Pleasant View Care Center, Whiting, Iowa.
A funeral service will be 10:30 A.M. Friday, October 17, 2025 at the First Christian Church, Onawa, Iowa with Pastor Clif Cockburn, officiating. A live stream of the service will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with Karen’s obituary. A luncheon and fellowship will follow the service at the church. A visitation will be 5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. Thursday, October 16, 2025 at the First Christian Church with a 7:00 P.M. prayer service. A graveside service will be held at 11:30 A.M. Saturday, October 18, 2025 at the Riverside Cemetery, Rodman, Iowa, with son-in-law, Pastor Jerry Greenwalt, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.
Karen Esther was born on October 22, 1938, in Lu Verne, Iowa, the daughter of Herbert and Evelyn (Hewitt) Lothringer. She attended Humboldt High School, where she graduated with the class of 1956. Karen was a telephone operator in Humbolt, Iowa for several years.
Karen Lothringer and Darrel Barber were united into marriage November 27, 1960 in Humbolt, Iowa. Their union was blessed with three children, Sandy, Janet, and Gary.
Karen dedicated many years to serving the Emmetsburg, Iowa, school system as a secretary. She was also a co-owner of Gambles Hardware Store in Onawa and later worked as a secretary for State Farm Insurance.
Karen cherished every moment spent with her grandsons. She enjoyed drawing in her free time, often finding it to be very relaxing.
Karen was a devoted member of the Christian Women’s Club in Onawa, where she built lasting friendships and shared her strong faith with others. She was also an active member of the First Christian Church in Onawa, faithfully participating in church activities. She volunteered for many years with the Burgess Auxiliary at Burgess Health Center.
Survivors include her loving husband of nearly sixty-five years, Darrel Barber of Onawa, Iowa; two daughters, Sandy (Jerry) Greenwalt of Dunlap, Iowa and Janet (Tom) Jordening of Hornick, Iowa; one son, Gary (Gina) Barber of Omaha, Nebraska; seven grandsons, Josh Greenwalt, Matt Greenwalt, Mark Greenwalt, Daniel Jordening, Robert Jordening, Ethan Barber, and Eric Barber; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Evelyn (Hewitt) Lothringer; parents-in-law, Glenn and Gladys (Kuhn) Barber; sister and brother-in-law, Kay and Elmer Meinke; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jerry and Avis Rasmussen.
Memorials in Karen’s memory may be directed to the First Christian Church, 722 15th Street, Onawa, Iowa 51040.
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