Barry, Ruth Ann (Nielsen) (1932 - 2020)

BARRY, NIELSEN, MORRISON, GROSHONG, CHRISTENSEN, ROSONKE, MCLAUGHLIN-PEARCE

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 7/18/2020 at 19:58:22

Name of deceased: Ruth Ann Barry (nee Nielsen)

Aged: 87 yrs, 6 mo, 11 days

Residence: Harlan, Shelby County, IA (formerly of Irwin, Shelby County, IA)

Born: Dec. 19, 1932; rural Defiance, Shelby County, IA

Died: June 30, 2020; Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan

Funeral services: Monday, July 6, 2020; United Methodist Church, Irwin, IA; burial was in the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, IA

Survived by: Husband of 64 years, Milton Barry of Harlan, IA; children, Cyndi (spouse, Tony) Groshong of Cambridge, NE, Shelly (spouse, Lamont) Christensen of Irwin, IA, and Stacy (spouse, Terry) Rosonke of Norwalk, IA; 6 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; sibling, Marie McLaughlin-Pearce (spouse, Clay) of Harlan, IA; sister-in-law, Nadine Nielsen of Hendersen, NV; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Alfred and Leta (nee Morrison) Nielsen

Education: Attended school at the Defiance (IA) Public School and then graduated from Irwin(IA) High School, Class of 1950; she went on to Simpson College, Indianola, IA, where she received a pre-professional teaching certificate. She later graduated with a bachelor of arts in education from Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, IA..

Religious affiliation: Baptized and confirmed at the Salem Evangelical Church, Defiance, Shelby County, IA; member and officer of the Irwin (IA) United Methodist women; president of the Council Bluffs(IA) District of the United Methodist Women; played the organ at Sunday services for over 70 years; was the director of the Junior Choir, accompanied the Senior Choir, taught Sunday School and Bible School; In 1972, she received a special membership pin for her service in the Irwin United Methodist Church.

Military service: n/a

Marriage: Milton Barry; July 10, 1955; Evangelical United Brethren Church, Defiance, Shelby County, IA

Employment: Before completing her degree in education, she taught at Wall Lake (IA) and third grade at Laurel School in Harlan, IA.

Hobbies/Interests: Always had a love for music and was a talented pianist and organist, performing at weddings, funerals, school solo/ensemble contests, and church services countless times; active member of the Irwin Order of Eastern Star, and In 2002, was named the Grand Organist of Iowa for Eastern Star; In 2006, she was named Shelby County and State of Iowa Mother of the Year; member, Myrtue Medical Center Auxiliary, Harlan, IA; president of the Irwin-Kirkman Community School Board for 12 years; appointed by Governor Terry Branstad to the Iowa College Student Aid Commission, serving from 1993 until 1998; loved to travel and to go to Branson, MO. to see various shows; loved to cheer on the IKM Hawks and IKM-Manning Wolves and was awarded Fan of the Year in 1995; enjoyed baking her famous pies and brownies, and watching her game shows; loved playing cards, especially rummy and Canasta

Sources: harlanonline.com; kjan.com; pauleyjones.com