West Des Moines
Barbara Ward, 85, passed away Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at Mercy Hospice. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Monday at McLaren’s Chapel with burial at Resthaven Cemetery.
Barbara was born in De Soto, Iowa to Ethel and Glen Long. She worked at the Ordinance Plant making ammunition for World War II before attending AIB where she earned a degree in accounting. She worked in bookkeeping at the Federal Home Loan Bank for 30 years. Barbara was a devoted wife and grandmother, loved traveling and gardening, and volunteered at the Blood Bank.
She is survived by her daughter, Laurie (Dale) Rhiner of Clive; son, John (Barbara) Lowes of Atlanta, GA; four grandchildren, Daleen Wiles, Stephanie Thorpe, Matthew Rhiner and Jennifer Cater; nine great-grandchildren; and a sister, Virginia Warner of Denver, CO. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Ward; daughter, Martha Erickson; grandson, John Raymond Rhiner; and two sisters, Charlotte Stout and Ruth Soloman.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until service time Monday at McLaren’s. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to The Blood Bank of Iowa.
