Barbara Jane Masterson
Barbara Jane Masterson
Barbara Jane Masterson
October 12, 1929 – June 18, 2021
What Cheer, Iowa | Age 91
Barbara Masterson, 91, of What Cheer, Iowa, passed away on Friday, June 18, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Society in Ottumwa, Iowa. Barbara Jane Masterson was born on October 12, 1929 to Harley and Lottie Pearl Harvey Wilson in Newton, Iowa.
Barbara was one of seven children and attended school in Newton.
Barb traveled around and was a waitress for a Greek restaurant in Minnesota until 1960. They then moved back to What Cheer and Barb began working for Kingsbury Homes until they closed in 1967. She then worked for the University of Iowa Hospitals for 20 years. During this time, she also worked for the What Cheer First State Bank for John and Dorothy Baylor for 55 years until her retirement.
Barb loved flea markets and volunteered many hours taking tickets for the figure 8 races and horse races. She enjoyed volunteering for most all charity organizations in What Cheer. Barb was a woman that grew up with nothing and would do anything for anyone and worked hard to provide for her family and friends. She worked tirelessly to ensure that her family and friends always had what they needed. She masked her sorrow and always taught her children to remain strong. Barb was a member of the What Cheer United Methodist Church. Her greatest love, enjoyment, and devotion were to her children and grandchildren.
Barb is preceded in death by her parents, Harley and Lottie Wilson; her daughters, Joni Lou Gauley and Patricia Mansell; her three brothers: Gene Wilson, Clarence Wilson and Ronnie Wilson; and her three sisters, Agnes Wilson, Betty Wilson and Darlene Reynolds.
She is survived by her children, Cathy (& Chris) Hansen, Ronnie Reynolds, Joe (& Sandy) Reynolds, Tony (& Diane) Erwin, Betty Beaudreau; 19 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 21, beginning at 10:00 am at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 20, from 3:00 to 8:00 pm at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer.
Burial will be held in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg.
Memorials may be made to the Community Ministries Food Bank.
Holland-Coble Funeral Home of What Cheer is in charge of the arrangements.
