"I am a Great-Neice that grew up in Southern California. Our family would make a trip to Iowa about every five years to visit family. When we would turn off the highway to head to my Grandparents we would see Aunt Edith and Uncle Bud's house and know we were close to seeing Grandma and Grandpa Clark. As we left Lovilia to head to Albia to see my other set of Grandparents we would be stopped by Aunt Edith and Uncle Bud. Aunt Edith always had something sweet to eat and my Brother and I loved spending time there. Aunt Edith always had a wonderful smile and contagious laugh. There was nothing she could not do or would not do. When I would go to the Albia Manor to see my Great-Grandma Clark I got to see Aunt Edith in action. She truly loved her residents and had so much respect for her staff. I admire Aunt Edith and hope someday to have half the compassion she had! Anyone who knew Aunt Edith has been blessed. My Dad, Jack Clark, has shared so many great stories about Aunt Edith and Uncle Bud that I felt like I was actually one of their's. Aunt Edith and Uncle Bud may be gone to Hevean, but they will always be here on Earth through the lives of their Children and Grandchildren. Sheila has her Mom's sense-of-humor and her kids have the "Barnes" looks and qualities of a good heart. Aunt Edith, give Uncle Bud a big hug for me and please give my Mom and huge hug and kiss for me and tell her I love her and miss her very much. "
In loving memory of
Edith Marie Barnes
October 24, 1915 - October 12, 2014
Dateline: Lovilia
Edith Marie Clark Barnes, age 98 of Lovilia, died on Sunday evening October 12, 2014 at the Monroe Care Center in Albia. She was born to Fred and Clara Ellen Clark on October 24, 1915 in Buxton, IA. They moved to a farm west of Lovilia. She attended a little country school known as Lemon School. It was about a mile walk, each way, everyday. The seventh grade teacher wanted Edith to skip eighth grade and go into high school, but her dad would not let her as he said she was too young and too small. It was a three and a half mile walk each way to Lovilia High School. Edith was a good student and graduated from Lovilia High School, class of 1933. Edith had six brothers, three sisters and many chores at home.
After she graduated she went to Des Moines and worked for Mr. and Mrs. Fogelson. She took care of their four children. On January 12, 1935 Edith married James (Bud) Barnes in Unionville, MO. She then worked at the Harold Waters Grocery Store in Lovilia. They also owned and lived in the Park Hotel in Lovilia until it burned down in July 1945. They then moved to Albia where Edith worked as office manager at the Monroe County Hospital until 1966. Later years she worked for Bob Larson at the Albia Newspaper Office. When the McCord Nursing Home opened in 1968 by owner Max McCord, he said he needed a good bookkeeper and heard that Edith was what he needed and he offered her a job. When the McCord's sold the Albia Manor to Continental Care of Omaha, NE, Edith took the Administrator's Exam and received her Administrator's License in Nebraska. She became the Administrator and retired in the spring of 1981. Her husband, Bud, passed away in October 1981. A few months later, Max and Helen McCord contacted her from Des Moines. He said he needed someone to set up a bookkeeping system in Indianola, so he could understand it. So Edith went to work for them three days a week and retired in 1993.
Edith was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, unit 0136 for sixty years. She was also on the Lovilia Betterment Committee. She had been very active in the Lovilia United Methodist Church. Here she served as church treasurer for a number of years, vice president and president of the United Methodist Women. Edith was known as the "Noodle Lady" as she made all the noodles for the annual chicken noodle suppers held every spring. She had always been a wonderful cook.
Edith began having health problems and moved to the Monroe Care Center in Albia July 2007. She met a lot of wonderful people there and enjoyed participating in the daily activities.
She is survived by her two children, Sheila (Phil) Lundstrom of Lovilia, Joe (Sharon) Barnes of Tajique, NM, granddaughters, Gail Marie Lundstrom of Iowa City, Tiffany Jo (Hosein) Ghadimi Las Cruces, NM; grandsons, Gary R. Lundstrom of Sedalia, MO, James P. Lundstrom of St. Louis, MO, Derek N. (Kathy) Barnes of Las Cruces, NM; great grandchildren, James Howard Philip Hobart of Iowa City, Siena Pearl Barnes of Las Cruces, NM, Landon Rio Barnes of Las Cruces, NM, and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, James (Bud) Barnes; brothers: Howard, Raymond, Purl, Eugene, Vincent & Harry Clark, and sisters, Ella Visser, Lois Walter, and Wilma Bryant.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, October 18, 2014 at the Lovilia United Methodist Church with Rev. Raymond Doser, and Rev. Dee Ann Klapp officiating. Burial will follow services in Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 17, 2014, opening to the public at 11 am, and family will be present from 6-8 pm Friday evening at Sinnott Pierschbacher funeral Home in Lovilia.
Memorials will be directed to Lovilia United Methodist Church or Lovilia Community Building. Online condolences may be left for the family at sinnottfuneralhome.com. Services entrusted with Sinnott Pierschbacher Funeral Home.