Beard, Barbara E. -- 1917 - 1999

BAKER, BEARD

Posted By: IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 8/9/2010 at 16:43:16

Decorah Journal, Thursday, September 23, 1999

Barbara Beard

Barbara E. Beard, 82, of Decorah, died Saturday, Sept. 18, 1999, at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital in Decorah, after fighting cancer for a few years.

She was the daughter of William E. Beard, a farmer living just west of Decorah. Her mother was Grace (Baker) Beard.

There are three brothers all living close to Decorah: William E., Franklin H. and James P. Beard.

Barbara attended Blount School from first through eighth grades. She graduated from Decorah Public High School in the class of 1935.

Interested in primary teaching, she completed two years of primary training at what is now the University of Northern Iowa. After that she was eligible to teach in elementary schools of Iowa.

She gradually earned enough college credits for a college bachelor of science degree. Her teaching experience lasted 42 years, 33 of which were in Waterloo. After retirement in 1979, she moved back to Decorah to care for her mother, who died six days short of age 102.

Barbara was active in Congregational UCC Women's Fellowship, Town and Country Garden Club, Business and Professional Women, Carry-On Club, Outlook Club, Luther College Woman's Club, American Association of University Women, and Retired Teachers.

Survivors include three brothers, William Beard Jr., Franklin H. and Laura Beard, and James P. and Killy Beard; and 10 nieces and nephews.

Barbara Beard was preceded in death by her parents; her sister-in-law Betty Beard, wife of William Beard Jr., and one nephew, Brian Beard.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.