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Barbara Sue Lovig passed away on September 10, 2026, while in the care of Iowa River Hospice at Birkwood Village of Tama/Toledo.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A Memorial Gathering will be held on November 7, 2026, at Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. and a service at 11:00 a.m., followed by a catered lunch. A private family graveside service will be held at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association .
Barbara was born on May 9, 1943, in Whipple, West Virginia, to Ralph and Marie Adkins. She lost her mother to tuberculosis in 1953, after which her father, a coal miner, and her grandparents helped raise Barbara and her two older siblings. While in high school, Barbara followed her sister, Lyda, and Lyda's husband, Ronald, to Iowa where she continued her education. She met her future husband, James (Jim), while working as a waitress at Zeno's Pizza. The two were married on July 1, 1961, by a Justice of the Peace in LeGrand, Iowa.
Barbara worked at numerous businesses throughout Marshalltown, including Stone's Restaurant, Marshalltown Instruments, Marshalltown Trowel, Estel-Perrin-Avey Funeral Home, Cissy's in LeGrand and Mitchell Family Funeral Home.
Barbara was well known for her spotless house. The old saying, “Her kitchen is so clean that you can eat off of her floor,” certainly rang true for her. In her younger years, she was an avid sunbather, and later she loved spending hours working in her beautiful yard during the summertime. She enjoyed cooking, playing cards, drinking Pepsi, listening to Elvis and classic country music, playing Nintendo GameCube, and, most of all, spending time with family and friends. Her four grandchildren were her pride and joy, and her only regret was that they didn't live closer to her.
Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 65 years, Jim; daughter Teresa (Michael) McGuire of Vista, California; son Bill (Kiki) Lovig of Columbia, Missouri; and grandchildren Sean and Evan McGuire and Reid and Tess (Bryce) Lovig. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her sister and brother-in-law, Lyda and Ronald Wilson; and her brother and sister-in-law, Tracy and Jean Adkins.
Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted to care for Barb and her family. To leave online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.
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~ Lovingly written by family