Elvira M. Barnes, age 94, died February 24, 2008 at the Cresco Care Center in Cresco, Iowa of natural causes.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 29, 2008 at the Notre Dame Church, with burial in the Calvary Cemetery in Cresco, IA. Visitation will be held at the Church on Friday from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. Conway Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
Elvira Marie Barnes was born August 3, 1913, in New Oregon Township, Howard County, Iowa south of Cresco. She was the daughter of Frank and Anna (Lickteig) Baker. She attended St. Joseph’s Grade School through the eighth grade while living with her grandparents. She graduated from Cresco High School. Following her education, she worked in Cresco for J.C. Penney Co. On November 27, 1934, she was united in marriage to Miles M. Barnes at the St. Joseph’s Church by Father Wagoner.
Following her marriage, she and Miles farmed near Maple Leaf, then farmed west of Cresco and in 1942, they bought the farm south of Schley where they farmed until they moved into Cresco in 1974.
Elvira was very active in her church in Schley, she was an officer of the Rosary Society, an officer of the ACCW and helped with all of the activities that the church sponsored. She was the last living of the original starters of the church at Schley. Elvira enjoyed fishing, gardening, growing flowers and canning. She was a good farm wife, who grew up in the depression and knew what to do with everything grown on the farm. She had a fondness for nature and loved all types of farm animals. She had a special fondness for cats.
She is survived by two sons: Larry (Kay) Barnes of Cresco, IA, Robert (Carolyn) Barnes of Cedar Rapids, IA; one daughter, Marlene Cummings of Cresco, IA; 9 grandchildren: Julie (Kirk) Titus of Brainard, MN, Jill (Brian) McConnell of Cresco, IA; Rhonda Barnes of Winona, MN, Scott (Trudy) Barnes of Calmar, IA, Robin (Jack) Darland of Cedar Falls, IA; Mary Kay (Joe) Kelly of Chester, IA, Chris Barnes of New Albin, IA; Mike (Tabby) Barnes of Cedar Rapids, IA and Day (Bryan) Bobinchuck of Hilton Head, SC; 18 great grandchildren; Nicholas and Natalie Barnes; Sommer, Liberty and Ian Darland; Laura McConnell, LeAnn Johnson and Lindsay Bigler; David and Erik Titus; Molly and Elle McConnell; John, Caitlin and Flynn Kelly; Ryer and Jewel Barnes, and Charli Bobinchuck; 5 great great grandchildren; one sister: Mildred Kach of Cresco, IA.
Elvira was preceded in death by her husband; Miles in July 10, 1987, one son: Rodney Barnes on July 19, 2007, one grandchild; Kelly Barnes; a great grandchild, Sarah Titus; two brothers: Gilbert Baker and Jerome Baker, and one sister: Gladys Burgess.