Barbara L. Holdefer

Barbara Louise Holdefer, 76, of Pleasant Hill, passed away suddenly at home on October 27, 2024.

Barb was born on November 27, 1947, to Paul and Virginia (Kintz) Hill. Barb attended Colfax High School, where she met her high school sweetheart Douglas; the two dated throughout high school. She graduated in 1965. Barb and Doug married in December of 1966, after Doug completed 9 months of commissary school in Connecticut for the United States Coast Guard; they made their first home together at his station in Hawaii. They were later restationed to Connecticut, where they started their family. After his service in the Coast Guard, Doug and Barb moved back to Iowa.

During their 57 years of marriage, Barb and Doug welcomed their three children: Brenda, Stacy, and Craig, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Barb was a stay-at-home mom while her children were young and worked part-time as a teller for Norwest, now Wells Fargo. Once her children were in school, she worked her way up, being promoted from teller, to banking supervisor, to the mortgage department manager, from where she retired after 34 years of service. Barb and Doug moved many times during their marriage and always made close friendships wherever they lived, which they maintained throughout their lives. Above all, Barb loved her time with her family, and especially enjoyed her grandchildren and all the time she spent with them. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and wife, dedicating herself completely to her family. Shortly after retiring, she was a fulltime caregiver for her husband, Doug. Over the years, she enjoyed many pastimes, but would never say no to Mexican food and frozen margaritas with salt. She was one of a kind and was deeply loved by all those who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

Barb was preceded in death by her husband, Doug on March 15, 2024; her parents, Paul and Virginia Hill; and her brother-in-law, Carl Alderman.

She is survived by her daughters, Brenda (Stacey) Rice and Stacy Holdefer; son, Craig Holdefer; grandchildren, Cody (Aly) Breeden, Kip Breeden, Cole Breeden, Kaitlyn Breeden, AJ Holdefer, and Stevie Holdefer; great-grandchildren: Brantley Breeden, Avery Culp, Noah Breeden, and Ralyn Breeden; siblings, Charlotte Alderman, Dennis (Judy) Hill, and Lynda (Keith) Hidock; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family, and countless friends.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th Street SW, Altoona. Funeral service will follow at 12:00 p.m. Burial will take place at McKeever Cemetery in Colfax after the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given directly to daughter, Brenda Rice to eventually be gifted to Child Serve Continued Care Unit in honor of their grandson Cole, who is a resident.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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