Barbara Jean Gallagher
October 19, 2021
Barbara was born on February 4, 1935 in Des Moines, grew up in Highland Park and attended North High School. She married Robert N. Gallagher, also from Des Moines, in 1952, where they raised a family of three sons and one daughter. At the age of 86, Barbara quietly passed away on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at the Platte Health Center Avera in Platte, SD.
Barbara was a committed member of the Highland Park Christian Church for much of her life. She found great joy in the church, serving as a vacation bible school teacher, Sunday school teacher, choir member and active participant in many committees and study groups.
Barbara was a camp counselor for many years at the Christian Conference Center in Newton, IA. She also served as a preschool teacher at the Des Moines YWCA and, later, volunteered for several years at the Des Moines Botanical Center.
Grateful for having shared Barbara’s life: son Dennis (Elizabeth) Gallagher of Huntsville, AL, son Robert (Dianne) Gallagher, Frankfort, IL; daughter Christine Nepodal, Platte, SD; sister Connie Butler, Sacramento, CA, seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren and three nieces.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Robert N. Gallagher, son Stephen N. Gallagher, son-in-law Gerald Nepodal, mother Gladys Van Dama, father George W. Nichols, sisters Georgia Angle and Shirley La Fond, and brother George Nichols, Jr.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 30 at the Highland Park Christian Church, 4260 NW 6th Dr, Des Moines, IA. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Highland Park Christian Church in Des Moines, the Des Moines Botanical Center, Habitat For Humanity, and the Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Alison Scott
10/30/2021
So sorry to hear about Aunt Barbara. I will remember her soft- spoken kindness. I remember all of the cousins playing together on visits to Des Moines, a bit of mayhem I imagine, but Aunt Barbara held everything just-the-right-amount-of together. I can picture the three sisters, Barbara, Shirley and Georgia, smiling and laughing among themselves in the middle of it all.
Tom Burgett
10/29/2021
Barbara was such a sweet lady.
I was a childhood friend with the youngest son, Rob and have kept in touch with him. I have many fond memories of the Gallagher household. Rest in peace Barbara. Tom Burgett
Terry and Jeanne Williamson
10/26/2021
Barbara was such a special lady who gave so willingly from her heart. She devoted so much of her time, talent and energy for so many young people for so many years! She was such a blessing to all those who knew her.