Barbara C. Salter

Barbara Carol Salter, 83, of Fort Dodge, passed away Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at the Marian Home, Fort Dodge, IA. Surrounded by loving family spanning three generations. The final chapter in a courageous decade long battle with dementia. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. May 7, 2018 at Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home and then 11:30 a.m. a Mass of Christian Burial will be at Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Patrick Behm officiating. Burial will follow at Corpus Christi Cemetery at a later date. A visitation will be 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with a Vigil at 5:30 p.m. Barbara is survived by her children, Samuel (Marilyn) Salter of Ankeny; Timothy Salter of Fort Dodge; Kathryn (Kevin) Crimmins of Fort Dodge; daughter-in-law, Patti Salter of Sioux City; ten grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren . She was preceded in death by her husband, Ted; parents, Harold and Laura (Myers) Vandello; oldest son, Steve; daughter-in-law, Michelle and sister, Mary Margaret Hodge; brothers, James, Robert, John Earl and Richard Vandello. Barbara Vandello was born August 16, 1934 in Fort Pierre, South Dakota. Her family moved to Ottumwa where she was raised and educated. Barba...[more]

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graduated from Ottumwa Heights Academy in 1952. She was united in marriage to Ted Salter on May 23, 1953 at St. Patrick's Church, Ottumwa. The couple established their home in Ottumwa, later moving to Mattoon and Joliet, Illinois, for a number of years. They relocated to Fort Dodge in 1969, and Barbara worked at Land of Lakes as an executive secretary for nearly 20 years until retiring in 1989. She was a member of Holy Rosary, Catholic Daughters of America, Rosarians, Legion of Mary, and also served as the head of environment for the former Holy Rosary Church in Fort Dodge. Barbara will be remembered for her sweet and sassy character, tough as nails demeanor , witty, often sarcastic sense of humor and unwavering dedication to her Christian faith and devotion to her lord and savior. This is what earned her the nick name "The Queen", for she was truly royalty in her love and commitment to her friends and especially her family. As her sister succumbed to breast cancer in the 1960's, Barbara was the rock and foundation in assisting in raising eight devastated children in addition to her own children proceeding her sisters death. To this day retains a very special relationship with Tony, Gary, Mike, David, Pam, Barb, Martha and Maryann Hodge of Rock Island, IL. All who new her, loved her and all who loved her received a very special gift. Famous for her love for Coke a Cola and was at one point awarded a golden coke bottle from the Coca Cola company as a preferred customer in the 1960's. To "Sit long and talk much" munching on Mike-n-Ikes and the world's largest bowl of Bridge Mix was always her motto. Nothing could ever replace her friends and family, that was how the Queen rolled. The family would like to acknowledge all of the incredible care givers that cared for her over the years at The Marian Home, past and present, as well as the compassionate and comforting care of everyone with Hospice. So many very special people. Barbara's infectious smile and laugh will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her and will find comfort in her memory. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.