Barbara Warhurst

Barbara Ann Warhurst, age 81, a resident of Eldridge, Iowa died Sunday, February 12, 2012 at her daughter’s home in Davenport, Iowa surrounded by love and family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at St. James Lutheran Church, Bettendorf, Iowa. Visitation will be held Friday, February 17, 2012 from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M at the Chambers Funeral Home, Eldridge, Iowa. Burial will be in Oakdale Memorial Gardens, Davenport, Iowa. Memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church or to the family.

Barbara was born August 27, 1930 in Garner, Iowa the youngest daughter of Frederick P. and Mabel H. (Indvick) Francis. She was a graduate of Owatonna High School, Owatonna, Minnesota. On January 12, 1954 she enlisted in the United States Air Force, started basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. She was honorably discharged. She met her husband while working at a dentist office in Minnesota and was united in marriage to Elmer E. Warhurst on October 20, 1957 in Owatonna, Minnesota.

Barbara was a great homemaker, making everyone feel welcome and comfortable. She also worked retail at Younkers and JC Penny where she enjoyed working with cosmetics, helping customers and making new friends.

Barbara enjoyed caring for her many gardens that she and Elmer planted throughout the years. She was an avid reader, enjoying her mystery books, loved doing her crossword puzzles and watching her favorite game shows on TV. She loved animals and always took in stray cats and dogs, giving them much love and attention. She was an avid football fan and loved watching and rooting for the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings. She loved researching her family’s genealogy and working on the family tree. Barbara loved being with her family, whom she loved more than anything else in the world. It was her greatest joy. She loved spending time with family celebrating holidays, birthdays and other special occasions together. Barbara always put the needs of others first and was happiest when she was doing for others. She brought a lot of joy, love and humor to those around her.

Those left to honor her memory include her daughters, Elizabeth Scott, Des Moines, Iowa and Tammy Warhurst, Davenport, Iowa; her sons, Michael Warhurst, Davenport, Iowa and Mark (Kim) Warhurst, Ozark, Missouri; fifteen grandchildren; one great-grandchild; her brothers, Norman (Kathy) Francis, Minnesota, Dean (Patricia) Francis, Arizona and Kenneth (Carol) Francis, Oregon; her brother-in-law, Harry Warhurst, Moline, Illinois; her sister-in-law, Alma Liggett, Silvis, Illinois and Blackie, Cody , Tarzan and Tiger.

In addition to her husband, Elmer she was preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Mabel Francis, her sister, Donna J. Bunday and her brother-in-law, Wallace Warhurst.

Condolences and flowers may be sent to the family by visiting Barbara’s obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com