Barbara Shelquist

Barbara Shelquist

Barbara Shelquist
July 14, 1927 – April 10, 2022
Hot Springs, South Dakota | Age 94

Barbara Shelquist, 94, passed away April 10, 2022, at the home of her daughter in Hot Springs, South Dakota. Barbara was born on July 14, 1927, to Hugh and Louie Scott Gray in Albia, Iowa.

Barbara attended Halfway Prairie School and graduated from Albia High School at the age of 16 in 1944. Due to the war and the need for teachers, she started teaching at the age of 17 at Pleasant Point School and taught there two years.

Barbara married Ivan D. Shelquist on March 23, 1946. Three children were born to this union: David Lee, Galin Dean, and Marilyn Louise.

The family farmed north of Albia until 1963 when they purchased a farm near Moravia. Barbara worked at Ewers Shoe Store and at Johnson and Johnson’s.

Barbara served on the Monroe County Extension Council and was a 4-H leader for many years. She attended Service Presbyterian Church, Moravia EUB Church, Joy Community Fellowship in Hot Springs, and was currently a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.

In their younger years, Barbara and Ivan enjoyed square dancing. Barbara raised a bountiful vegetable garden each year and maintained flower gardens until in her 90’s. She enjoyed tole painting and oil painting but found her true hobby in quilting. She was a member of the Albia Crazy Quilters, the Sewing Sisters in Moravia, and the Material Girlz Quilt Guild in Centerville.

Barbara enjoyed watching game shows like Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and Family Feud, as well as doing word puzzles. She enjoyed traveling, especially to Alaska, Hawaii, Nova Scotia, and San Francisco, and spending time in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Barbara is survived by sons, David of Moravia and Galin of Albia; a daughter, Marilyn Rowley of Hot Springs, South Dakota; grandchildren: Tyler (& Kourtni) Shelquist of Oskaloosa, Bobby Shelquist of Albia, and Molly (& Andy) Mullen of Mystic; a step-grandson, Christian Rowley of Chicago; great-grandchildren: Jace, Grady, and Hattie of Oskaloosa, Gracie of Albia, and Callen and Freya (and one on the way!) of Mystic; two step-great-grandsons, Mikk and Zakk of Chicago; sisters, Joann Ahn and Donna Kromray of Albia; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan, on December 25, 1998; her parents, Hugh and Louie Gray; her in-laws, Harry and Mary Shelquist; brothers-in-law: George Shelquist, Harry Jr. Shelquist, Richard Shelquist, Carl Shelquist, and Paul Shelquist; a sister-in-law, Edna Shelquist Robinson; and a son-in-law, Jimmie Rowley.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Barbara’s family present from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. to greet family and friends.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 22, 2022, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Roger Henry officiating.

Burial will follow services at Service Chapel Cemetery in Albia.

A memorial has been established to Trinity United Methodist Church in Albia or to Joy Community Fellowship in Hot Springs, South Dakota.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Barbara Shelquist please visit the Tharp Funeral Home Sympathy Store.