Jean Kettering Barker

Jean Kettering Barker

1926 – 2025

LAKE VIEW - Jean Kettering Barker passed away Jan. 22, two weeks short of her 99th birthday. A memorial service will be held at a later date with inurnment at Ferguson Cemetery where one can see the farm she grew up on from her gravesite.

Jean Kettering Barker of Lake View, Iowa, daughter of Howard and Jessie Frisbie Kettering, was born in 1926 on the family farm northeast of Lake View where she spent her childhood attending rural school one mile away. She was baptized in the Methodist Church, active in 4-H and graduated from Lake View High School, class of 1943. She then obtained a teaching certificate from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, later earning extra credits from Drake University, Buena Vista College, Wayne State College and University of South Dakota. She was a lifelong inveterate learner and teacher. She subsequently taught in Storm Lake, Estherville and Correctionville prior to her marriage to John Junior Barker on Aug. 3, 1950 at Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. This union was blessed with three children-Ann Joell, Karl Frederick and Amy Belle.

Her ancestors came from Germany, Ireland, Scotland and France prompting her Grandpa Frisbie to say, “So, you are a Yankee!” She used to tell her kids, “Everyone in America is an immigrant.”

The couple began living in Correctionville, but in June of 1951, moved to Holstein. They purchased the Correctionville and Holstein Wilson-Hull Funeral Homes in 1954. In 1985, they purchased the Jones Funeral Home in Alta, Iowa operating all three as Barker Funeral Homes. Jean assisted John in the funeral business. They resided in Holstein until retirement and the sale of this corporation to son Karl, at which time they moved back to Correctionville, and later in 1993 to their home across from the lake in Lake View. John died in 2015 after 65 years of marriage. Jean was healthy, active, living alone and could be seen driving her car around town until her 96th year when she transitioned to Twilight Acres in Wall Lake, Iowa for her final three years. Her family is forever grateful for the loving care she received there. She would often say, “I am where I belong.” 

Jean was a member of Lakes United Methodist Church, UMW, PEO Chapter BI-IA, Lake View garden club and Federated Women’s Club. She enjoyed serving and volunteering in church and community activities. She enjoyed working with youth while in Holstein teaching Sunday School, directing children’s choir, serving 12 years as both Girl and Boy Scout leader. She served on the WIT board and assisted in the American Cancer Society education. Mom could often be heard educating someone on a topic saying, “I must tell you this now for I am not long for this world.” Boy, was she wrong as her teachings continued for 99 years.

Jean liked to read the written word, anything musical, travel, cooking, playing cards and truly appreciated the beauty and significance of nature, promoting bees, trees, birds. She had an interest in natural health remedies which influenced her daughters’ career paths. Fellowship with friends and family, especially grandchildren was a priority.

Jean was preceded in death by her grandparents Fred and Sarah Frisbie, and Michael and Warbelle Kettering, parents-in-law John and Jennie Barker, parents Howard and Jessie Kettering, a grandson Brandon Lee Barker, sister Lois Kettering Rossow and husband Gordon Rossow, brother Fred Kettering, sister-in-law Dorothy Anderson and husband Verlin Anderson, nephews Mark Rossow, Bill and Jim Anderson.

Survivors include: her children daughter Ann Barker of Hollis, New Hampshire, son Karl (Rhonda) Barker of Osage Beach, Missouri, daughter Dr. Amy Piana and fiance’ Matt Woermer of Watertown, Connecticut.  Grandchildren include Ky (Maddie) Barker of Pomeroy, Iowa, Kelsey (Aaron) Hansen of Clive, Iowa, Trishia (Paul) Baylor of Ankeny, Iowa, Dr. Palmer (Olivia) Piana of Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. Pierce Piana of Davenport, Iowa, Sedona Piana of Watertown, Connecticut, Dr’s. Peter (Maddy) Woermer of Wesley Chapel, Florida, Sarah Woermer of Brooklyn, New York and Emma Woermer of Madison, Connecticut. Nieces Barb (Bill) Anderson of Des Moines and Lexa Braxmeier of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Sister-in-law Darla Kettering of Pueblo, Colorado. Great-grandchildren include Khloe and Reece Barker, Braylon and Brooks Hansen, Emerie and Mya Baylor. And two others on the way!

“When one looks at and studies nature (all of God’s creation), how could you not believe in a master design?”

Until we meet again…. Thanks for the memories….

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to P.E.O. International, 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312 or Lake View Public Library, P.O. Box 20, Lake View, IA  51450. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.