Barbara Rickabaugh

Barbara Jayne Rickabaugh, 79, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at Regency Care Center in Norwalk, IA. Visitation will be held Monday, June 21, 2010 from 5 to 7 p.m. followed with a memorial service at 7 p.m. at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th St.

Barbara was born August 12, 1930 in Bagley, IA to Everett and Edna Cook. Upon graduation from Bagley High School in 1947, she moved to Des Moines and attended Beauty College and became a licensed beautician. Barbara married Leonard “Rick” Rickabaugh on February 4, 1957 and adopted one son, Jeffrey in October of 1960. She left her beautician career to care for her family and in 1967 joined the Des Moines Public School system as a Food Service worker in the Brody Jr. High School cafeteria until 1977.

Barbara enjoyed the outdoors and went on many hunting and fishing trips over the years with her husband Rick. In 1968, they began building a summer home on Leech Lake in Minnesota where they would eventually spend their summers until 1997. Barbara suffered from debilitating arthritis for many years, but spent her time enjoying the Minnesota summers and her many friends there, and spending time with her two granddaughters.

Barbara will be missed by her loving husband Leonard; one child, Jeff of Des Moines; and her two beautiful granddaughters who brightened her world, Jayme and Alyson Rickabaugh of Ankeny. She also leaves behind one sister, Virginia Bancroft of Belton, TX; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents.

The family wishes to also express their appreciation and gratitude to the staff of Regency Care Center in Norwalk where Barbara was a resident since 2004 for their loving and dedicated support.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, 2600 72nd Street, Ste. D, Des Moines, Iowa 50322.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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