Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Marshalltown. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Memorials may be directed to either, St Paul’s Episcopal or La Moille Congregational Church. For condolences or questions please visit: www.mitchellfh.com . Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Barbara and her family. Phone 641-844-1234.

Barbara Ethel Benson was born in Marshalltown, Iowa; she was the daughter of Herbert E. and Helen (Kerr) Benson and step mother Kate (Kerr) Benson. Barbara attended the LaMoille School graduating with the class of 1942, and went on to further her education at Iowa State University graduating in 1947, with a Bachelor’s of Science in Home Economics. On August 17, 1947, Barbara was united in marriage to William Horace Baltisberger at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Marshalltown, Iowa. They had resided in Columbus Junction, Tucson, Arizona and back to Marshalltown where they had lived the last 64 years. Barbara was a homemaker and taught physical education at St. Mary’s Catholic School.

She was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Church Women United, PEO, DAR, YMCA, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Garden Club, Girl Scouts, and Bridge Club and enjoyed volunteering at the Iowa Veteran’s Home and Meals on Wheels.

Left to cherish Barbara’s memory is her husband of 69 years, William, daughters, Nancy(Rodger) Larsen of Mukilteo, Washington, Sandra((Val) Giles of Forks, Washington and Linda( Dale) Gabel of Golden, Colorado, grandchildren, Jessica Larsen, Eric Larsen, Jennifer Edwards, Jeff Giles, Julia Ahrndt, Amanda Olson, Megan Hendricks and Katrina Gabel, great-grandchildren, Claire Larsen, Morgan Larsen, Charlie Larsen, Ryan Cebula, Marcus Larsen, Lauren Edwards, Emma Edwards, Jackson Giles, Jameson Giles, Benson Ahrndt, Grace Olson, Luke Olson, and Jeremy Hendricks, Siblings, James (Greta) Benson of State Center, Iowa, Betty (Steve) Molle of Jefferson, Iowa and many nieces and nephews.

In death Barbara rejoins her parents, Herbert, Helen, and step mother Kate; and brothers, Elmer (Ardis), Charles (Isla) and Ronald.