Betty Barnard
Betty Barnard
Betty Barnard
March 18, 1925 – May 3, 2019
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 94
Elizabeth “Betty” Barnard, 94, of Oskaloosa died Friday, May 3, 2019, at Homestead Assisted Living in Oskaloosa. She was born March 18, 1925, near Peoria, Iowa, the daughter of John and Wilma Rouw Van Der Beek.
Betty attended Prine Country School and graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the class of 1943.
On March 5, 1950, Betty committed her life to Christ through her Profession of Faith at the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa.
Following high school Betty worked at F.W. Woolworth and Pella Corporation.
On March 16, 1944, she was united in marriage to Durant Barnard. Betty and Durant were blessed with two children, Daryl and Judy. Together they farmed northwest of Oskaloosa. On November 5, 1982, Durant died. Betty stayed on the farm following Durant’s death.
On November 28, 1987, she was united in marriage to Juddie Vandevender in Oskaloosa. After 13 1/2 years of marriage Juddie died on July 31, 2001.
Betty was an active member of First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa where she enjoyed Bible study groups, Esther Circle, and church activities for many years. She gave generously of her time and talents to many organizations including, Share Iowa, Relay for Life, Nelson Pioneer Farm, Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop, Department of Human Services, and to the 50 plus Oskaloosa High School grads. She was honored for several years by the Governor of the State of Iowa for her volunteer work. In addition to volunteering she enjoyed being on the farm and hosting friends and family during the Knoxville Nationals. Betty enjoyed many years of companionship with John Drost until his death in 2008. She was also a member of the Farm Bureau.
Her family includes her two children and their spouses: Daryl (& Tami) Barnard of Des Moines, and Judy (& Harold) Silk of New Sharon; two granddaughters: Jessica (& Tom) Spencer and Dakota Barnard; two great grandchildren: Gracelyn Joy Spencer and Marlee Beth Spencer; two step grandchildren: Jacob Silk and Alexis Silk; a brother, Albert John Van Der Beek of Oskaloosa; nieces and nephews: Sharon (& Joe) Ferguson, Albert John (& June) Van Der Beek, Jr., and Jeff (& Janet) Van Der Beek; a sister in law, Margaret Barnard; surviving from Juddie’s family: Linda Gerard (& Melvin Simpson) of Victor, Ferrell (& Janice) Vandevender of Spickard, Missouri; Surviving from John’s family: David (& Della Kay) Drost and Terry (& Nancy) Waugh; and many step grandchildren; and a sister in law, Ada Meighen of Spickard, Missouri.
In addition to her husbands, Durant and Juddie; Betty was preceded in death by her parents; a stillborn daughter, Connie June Barnard; her step father, Gerrit Jansen; a stepson, Larry Vandevender; three brothers in law: Gordon Barnard, Ray Barnard, and Claire Barnard; and three sisters in law: Marceline Tennis, Kay Pliess, and Joan Van Der Beek.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 7, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. in the First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Johnathon Spronk officiating.
A family prayer service will be held on Tuesday morning at 10:15 in the fellowship hall of the church.
Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Monday, May 6, 2019, after 12 noon in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel Monday evening from 5-7 to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to Homestead of Oskaloosa Memory Care.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Betty Barnard please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.
