Barns, Opal M. 1923-2016

BARNS, WINEINGER, DILLON, GRITSCH

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes
Date: 4/17/2016 at 14:47:52

The Smith Funeral Home
Grinnell, Iowa 50112

OPAL M. BARNS

Opal M. Barns, age 93, of Grinnell, died on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, at the Mayflower Community Health Care Center.

A celebration of her life will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 16, 2016, in the Carman Center of the Mayflower Community in Grinnell with Pastor Len Eberhart officiating. Interment will be at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to her service at the Carman Center.

Memorials may be designated to Grinnell Regional Hospice or to the Mayflower Community Human Needs Fund, mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared online with the family at www.smithfh.com.

Opal was born on February 9, 1923, in Dubois County, Indiana to George and Lelah Grace (Wineinger) Dillon. The family moved to Iowa and settled on a farm near Brooklyn. She was raised on the family farm and attended rural school. She graduated from Hartwick High School in 1941.

She was united in marriage to Calvin C. Barns in Grinnell and to this union was born a son, Mark. The couple lived in Grinnell and she worked for the DeLong's Sportswear company for over 40 years. She has resided at the Mayflower community since 2000.

Opal and Cal enjoyed traveling during their golden years together. Their trips to California, Europe and cruises to Hawaii and Alaska were among their favorites. Opal had a special love for her cats and enjoyed tending to her flowers and vegetable garden and going for walks with Cal. She will be remembered for her witty and fun-loving sense of humor, her strong will, and for always being there to lend a hand to others.

Opal is survived by several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin in 2002; son, Mark in 1973; parents; sister, Dora Gritsch; and two brothers, Charles and Robert Dillon.