Josephine Barker

Josephine Barker, 98, of Britt, passed away Thursday, February 4, 2021 at Westview Care Center in Britt.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Josephine Barker will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 139 3^rdStreet South East in Britt with the Very Reverend James Secora officiating.  Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery in Britt.  

Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2021 from 9:00 – 11:00 AM at the church.

Josephine Roma DeWeerdt, second daughter of Henry and Anna (Marchand) DeWeerdt was born November 21, 1922 in Britt, Iowa.  She was raised on a farm south of Duncan, and attended country schools.

Josephine was united in marriage to George Barker on April 14, 1942 in Garner, Iowa.  The couple made their home on a farm southeast of Britt, where they raised their family.  

Josephine and George moved into town in 1978, where she continued to make her home until entering Westview Care Center in December of 2019.  

Josephine was a hardworking wife and mother, caring for her children and taking care of the household along with maintaining a large garden.  In her free time Josephine spent countless hours embroidering numerous pillow cases, giving most of them away to family members.  She enjoyed working on word search puzzles, keeping journals through the years of daily events.  She enjoyed sending cards and letters to family members and friends on special occasions.

Josephine enjoyed taking long walks around Britt up until her early 90’s. Along with her family, faith was central to Josephine’s life.  She was a longtime member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Britt, and instilled the value of faith and prayer in the lives of her children. 

Josephine was a longtime member of American Legion Auxiliary. She is remembered for her kindness and deep love of her family.

Josephine is survived by her children, Joyce (Roger) Church of Garner, Pat (Rick) O’Toole of Cedar Rapids, Mary (Len) McCormick of Cedar Falls, Bill Barker of Britt, Jerry (Cindy) Barker of Britt, Ann Barker of Britt, Mona (Jeff) Secora of Mason City and Teresa Kerns of Britt; daughter-in-law Linda Barker of Britt; 21 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren and her first great, great-grandchild, Jax, on the way (Jax was born February 19, 2021); sisters of Marie Weiss of Mason City, Betty Anderson of Britt, Ramona Lau-Schmidt of Britt (Ramona passed away March 25, 2021), Ida Floy of Clear Lake, JoAnne (Forrest) Burress of Burnsville, Minnesota and Louise (Tom) Zrostlik of Britt; brother-in-law Glenn Wille of Garner; along with numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.  

Josephine was preceded in death by her parents, husband George in 1981, son Richard in 2015, and sister Anna Lou Wille in 2017.

In lieu of flowers and other customary remembrances, Josephine’s family suggests that memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the West Hancock Ambulance Service, American Cancer Society and American Diabetes Association and sent to their attention c/o Ewing Funeral Home, P.O. Box 342, Britt, Iowa, 50423.

www.ewingfh.com