Barbara Harrison
March 14, 2014
Barbara Jean Harrison, 73, passed away Friday, March 14, 2014 at Unity Point Health Des Moines Methodist, surrounded with love by her family, after a hard four year fight against cancer.
Barbara was born January 15, 1941 in Des Moines to Clarence and Doris Smith. She married Paul Harrison on November 12, 1960 and together they raised three children. She graduated from Tech High School in 1959. She worked for many years as Assistant to the Vice President of Fawn Engineering/Wittern Group and before that for Rock Island Railroad. Barbara loved being a wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She played her accordion alongside Lawrence Welk. Barbara enjoyed ceramics, scrapbooking, crafts and painting. She loved to golf, dance, play cards with friends; play with and teach her grandchildren. Barbara’s main focus in life was to be surrounded by a wonderful group of family and friends and she always felt blessed to have had them. She will be greatly missed.
Barbara is survived by her husband Paul; her children, Curtis (Vanessa) Harrison, Kelly (Lucy) Harrison and Bonnie (Brian) Graham; grandchildren, Taylor Harrison, Chris Harrison, Abby Harrison, David Darling, Luke Harrison, Kelcy Harrison, Bryson Graham, Braeden Graham and Ben Graham; mother, Doris Smith; siblings, Clarence Smith, Sue (Gerald) Wright, Donna Erickson and William Smith; as well as many nieces, nephews and beloved friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Clarence; mother in-law, Charity Bell Harrison; father in-law, Bonnie B. Harrison; brothers in-law, Earl (Thelma) Middleton and Albert Middleton; and sister in-law, “Cookie” Smith.
The family will greet friends on Friday, March 21, 2014, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at the funeral home. A private family burial will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Stoddard Oncology Cancer Center in remembrance of Barbara.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Deb (Chidester) Pastorik
03/16/2014
Barbara and Paul have been a cherished part of my life for as long as I can remember,Barb,your laugh was such a joy to hear! May you rest in peace with the angels,some of whose names we know.Much,much love to Paul and the family of a beautiful lady who will be missed so much
Vickey Durham
03/15/2014
Curt,
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family!
The Schuster's
03/15/2014
Always with a Smile,
A laugh to be heard,
A heart to share,
A ear to listen.
Barb left our family with such wonderful memories, she will be missed dearly.
To the Harrison's you will be in our thoughts and prayers.