Our loving mother, Barbara Joan Iehl, lost her battle with cancer on March 13, 2006 at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake, Iowa.

A celebration of Barb’s life will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2006 at 11:00 am at Grace Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, with Pastor Steve Schulz officiating.  Burial will be at the Early Union Cemetery in Early, Iowa.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 from 4-8:00 pm at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake where family will greet friends from 6-8:00 pm. 

Barbara was born on October 15, 1931 to Berl and Melinda (Herrig) Irwin in their country home, northeast of Lake View.

She started school in 1938, going to different country schools between Sac City and Lake View in 1950.  After high school, she worked at a grocery store in Sac City when she met Everett Iehl and was married on June 1, 1952.  During this union, two children were born, Kathy and Kevin.

Mom was always a worker, helping out on the farm, plowing, milking cows and nursing sick pigs back to health, besides of taking care of a home and family. At this time, she lived on a farm north of Truesdale.

In 1977, Mom and Dad moved to their Storm Lake home. She then took on many new jobs, such as, selling Princess House Crystal and Welcome Wagon Hostess for Storm Lake.

Mom and Dad divorced in 1987 where Mom continued to live in her Storm Lake house.  At this time in her life, it was hard for her to do physical labor jobs so she went back to school at ICCC and mastered the computer, which she enjoyed very much.  She held a job with the Soil Conservation Office and later Kentucky Fried Chicken which was in her backyard.

Barb had many interests, such as camping, bowling, fishing and playing cards. But most of all spending time with her family, grandchildren and Smokey, her dog companion. Barb had many friends and acquaintances.

Preceding Barb in death were her parents, Berl and Melinda Irwin and a brother David Irwin.

Survivors include her daughter, Kathy (Paul) Sefcik of Ottosen, Iowa and son Kevin (Jeanne) Iehl of Rembrandt, Iowa; five grandchildren: Jill (Justin) Henningson of Ruthven, Iowa, Brian and Casey Iehl of Rembrandt, Dustin and Daniel Sefcik of Ottosen; two brothers, John (Norma) Irwin and Jerry (Sharon) Irwin, both of Early, Iowa; one sister Janet (Bob) Pekelder of Sheldon; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.