Stella Olga BARZ

BARZ, RATZLAFF, CARTER, KRALL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/10/2010 at 15:18:14

Belmond Independent, Iowa
January 12, 2010

Stella O. Barz, 89, Klemme, died January 6, 2010 at Concord Care Center in Garner. Services were held January 11 at Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme with Reverend Donna Buckman officiating. Burial was in Ell Township Cemetery, Klemme. Stella Olga, the daughter of Olga (Ratzlaff) and Herman Barz, was born June 23, 1920 on the family farm near Klemme. She attended rural schools and graduated from Klemme High School in 1939. She then joined her brothers in the farming operation, plowing fields, harvesting crops, and raising livestock and chickens. She loved the rural life. After the death of her brothers, she and her sister Marcedia retired from farming and rented the land. When her sister died in 1968, Stella moved to the Klemme Apartments for several years, and then to Prairieview Apartments in Garner. Her health began to fail and she moved to Concord Care Center on July 1, 2009. Stella was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel United Church of Christ and was a lifelong member, being active in the women's fellowship and as a Sunday school and Bible school teacher. She especially liked working with children. She was also a member of the Klemme Senior Citizens and the Legion Auxiliary and was proud that all her brothers served in the armed forces during World War II.
Stella enjoyed playing Skipo and 500 card games, Bing Crosby music and western movies. She liked to read histories, biographies, farm related stories, and especially the Bible, which she read faithfully.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Martin (Irene), Geral and Paul; sister Marcedia; and niece Maxine Carter Krall. Survivors include grandniece Sue Carter, and grand nephew Scott Carter and his wife Rose and son Scott.