Vivian Harriett Barels

Vivian Harriet Barels, age 97, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, formerly of Storm Lake, Iowa, died October 12, 2024 at Accura Healthcare in Milford, Iowa. Funeral services will take place Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the Buena Vista Memorial Park Cemetery in Storm Lake. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the CHURCH. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Vivian Harriett Hansen, daughter of Harry and Clara (Lund) Hansen was born on August 5, 1927 on a farm in Audubon Co. Iowa. Vivian was baptized at Bethany Lutheran Church in Kimballton, Iowa and was confirmed at Nain Lutheran Church in Newell, Iowa. She began schooling at a country school in Audubon Co. until her family moved to a farm near Albert City, Iowa. She graduated from Albert City HS where she lettered in basketball, track, and softball. Vivian attended C.E. Business school in Omaha, Nebraska where she also played basketball. She worked for the Des Moines USFB Insurance Company. She was united in marriage to Donald J. Barels on February 17, 1951 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Albert City. Don and Vivian lived in Storm Lake, Iowa and had three children Brian, Gail and Lisa. Vivian and Don were among the first members of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. All their children were baptized at St. Mark’s and Brian was the first baby baptized at the church. Vivian was a homemaker and loved working in the garden and with her flowers. She worked for 23 years at Buena Vista College (University). Following her retirement Vivian enjoyed volunteering at her church and BV Memorial Hospital as well as playing bridge with her friends and spending time with her family. She moved to Spirit Lake in 2014 to be closer to her children. Vivian was preceded in death by her husband, Donald “Don”; parents; sisters: Ruby and Delores; and brother: Donald. Survivors include her son: Brian (Penelope) Barels of Spirit Lake, Iowa; daughters: Gail Barels of Marion, Iowa; Lisa (Paul) Weeks of Spirit Lake, Iowa; seven grandchildren: Brianne Babel of Castana, Iowa; Neil (Bobbi) Barels of Columbus, Nebraska; Keri Fredrickson of Fremont, Nebraska; Mikaela (Tanner) Perrigo of Spirit Lake, Iowa; Matthew (Rachel) Weeks of Norwalk, Iowa; Marisa Weeks of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Mason Weeks of Spirit Lake, Iowa; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Vivian Harriett Barels

August 5, 1927 - October 12, 2024