Jeanne Celeste Tietze Barker was born in New Braunfels, Texas on May 15, 1931, the only child of Ernest Charles and Dora Emma Roessing Tietze. She had a happy childhood growing up in New Braunfels surrounded by her extended family of cousins, aunts and uncles. She learned German so she would know if the older relatives were talking about her. She graduated from New Braunfels High School in 1949 where she was a member of The Spider Club. She was also a member of the synchronized swimming team at Landa Park. She attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College for a year then she and her cousin, Enid Zipp, went to work for USAA in San Antonio. When Prudential opened a regional office in Houston, they moved there to work. This job as an underwriter included a 3 month training program in Newark, New Jersey, many memorable visits to New York City, and wonderful stories for her grandchildren.
While living and working in Houston she met Louis Barker, and in 1959 they were married in New Braunfels. Jeanne and Louis were married for 54 years and had 4 children. Her children were born in Houston and the family lived there until they moved to Sugarland in 1970. Jeanne loved to garden and passed on her "green thumb" and love of plants to her children and grandchildren. She also taught her children to take care of an assortment of animals including turkeys, calves, quail, chickens, pheasants and horses.
In 1976, the family moved to Victoria, Texas. Jeanne was a member of First United Methodist Church where she volunteered and enjoyed the Come One, Come All Sunday School class where she had many friends. She loved playing bridge and on nearly any day in Victoria, you could find her playing with one of her many bridge clubs. She was an avid reader and loved sharing books and reading recommendations. But Jeanne was happiest when she was feeding people, preferably her kids and grandkids. She loved cooking and enjoyed trying new recipes. Her grandchildren knew that if they were at Omie's house they were expected to eat and eat a lot! Jeanne also loved baking sweets and especially sharing them with others. Jeanne and Louis traveled extensively over their years together and her house was filled with souvenirs and photos from all over the world. In 2022, she moved to New Braunfels and enjoyed her final years living in her hometown.
Jeanne was predeceased by her parents, Ernest and Dora Roessing Tietze, her husband, Louis H. Barker, Jr. and her daughter, Robin Barker Reamer.
She is survived by son, Stephen Barker and wife Mary Cay of Victoria, son-in-law Scott Reamer of Houston, daughter, Amy Woodall and husband Gregg of New Braunfels, son, Thomas Barker and wife Elise of San Antonio, nephew Robert Barker of Maui, niece Ann Wagoner of Wichita, niece Tania Travers of New York City, and her beloved cousin, Enid Zipp of New Braunfels. Jeanne is also survived by 10 grandchildren whom she adored: Lindy Reamer French, Lexi Reamer Smith, Emma Woodall, Morgan Barker Burks, Max Barker, Sydney Barker, Lilliana Reamer, Caslin Woodall, Julia Barker and Robin Barker, and 2 great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 1PM at Memory Gardens Cemetery, with memorial services to follow at First United Methodist Church at 2PM.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to First United Methodist Church of Victoria, Theater Victoria or a local charity of your choice.
Thoughts and memories may be shared at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com.
