Barbara J. Murphy (1942-2021)

MURPHY, THIBAULT, ROEDER, GLENN, BRANNOCKNUSS, MORROW

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/17/2021 at 16:58:24

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Barbara J. Roeder, 79, of Bettendorf, will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 22, 2021 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Bettendorf. Burial will be in the Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Visitation will be Sunday from 1 until 3 p.m. at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport. There will be additional visitation at church on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cafe on Vine or the Humility of Mary Women's Shelter.

Mrs. Roeder passed away Sunday, November 14, 2021 at Select Specialty Hospital following a brief illness.

Barbara J. Murphy was born on November 8, 1942 in Duluth, Minnesota, a daughter of Frank and Angeline (Thibault) Murphy. In 1964, she married C. David Roeder, the love of her life and perfect balance. They enjoyed 54 lovely and fun years before his passing in 2018.

Barb was a woman that wore many hats: nurse, wife, mother, grandmother, caregiver, teacher, Brownies/Scouts leader, and good friend. She volunteered with the Citizens Academy/Board, Women’s Chamber of Commerce, band parent, and in the schools, especially in the arts. No matter what she did, she did it with grace and a smile on her face. She hugged freely!

As she grew up she was known as the best tree climber in the neighborhood – until her sister Charlene came around. Barb loved ice skating and even played hockey. Some of the best days were when the children were small. The house was always full and happy. The kids always brought home stray dogs, cats, rabbits, and birds that had to be cared for.

Barb and Dave loved to travel, they had amazing adventures in Italy, Ireland, Costa Rica, Mexico and all across the United States. Barb and Dave had a sense of adventure that they passed on to their girls and grandchildren. They never took tours, they would rent a car and let the road take them where it may to meet the locals. They enjoyed many family trips traveling across the country with the girls early on, camping in the great Northeast, ski trips to Colorado with 16 people in a 12 passenger van with the cousins, monthly trips to Minnesota to visit family, visiting every National Park from the Mississippi, coast to coast. Barb made sure that everyone was organized, never forgot essentials, her lists were legendary.

Barb loved gardening, she could grow the most beautiful gardens that attracted butterflies and birds. Barb was an amazing cook and the door was always open for anyone to stop by. Meals were lovingly prepared, especially her "grandma rolls" and oatmeal raisin cookies. Her love and patience will be missed.

Those left to honor Barb’s memory include her children, Jill (Bill) Glenn, Fredericksburg, Iowa, Sarah Roeder, Bettendorf, Dr. Carrie (Larry) Brannock, San Diego, California and Dr. Anna (Damon) Johnson, Davenport; grandchildren, Caitlin (Sean Hughes) Roeder, Maya (Nolan) Nuss, Kael Glenn, Kyler Glenn, Isabella Brannock and Ronan Roeder; great-granddaughter, Raelyn Barbara Nuss; sister, Charlene (Dawn Nelson) Morrow, Superior, Wisconsin and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Marissa Marshall, her parents and brothers: James, Donald, and Steven Murphy. May they rest in peace.