Barb Walters

Barb J. Walters, 49, of Kirksville, Missouri, and formerly of the Atlantic and Brayton, Iowa, area, passed away Saturday, January 17, 2009, at her home in Kirksville, after a courageous battle with cervical cancer.

Barbara June Hansen was born June 1, 1959, in Atlantic, Iowa, the daughter of Allan and Rosie (Lilienthal) Hansen. She attended school in Exira and graduated from Exira High School.

Following high school, she received a Certified Nursing Assistant certificate and worked at Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Anita and then for the Atlantic Care Center.

On December 16, 1978, she married Steve Walters at the Brayton Lutheran Church. Together they lived in Brayton, Des Moines and Atlantic, Iowa, and Glenwood, Lancaster and Kirksville, Missouri. While living in Lancaster she was the manager of Motel 63.

Barb was a fun loving person. She loved meeting new people and spending time with her family and friends. Some of the fondest memories were created at the family dinners she would prepare. Barb cherished the numerous hours she spent playing with her grandchildren. She enjoyed watching the Food Network and Home and Garden TV, as well as reading a good book. Steve will always treasure the lifetime of memories she provided him and their children.

Barb is survived by her husband, Steve of Kirksville, Missouri; her children, Melissa Walters of Kirksville, Missouri; Brian (Tracy Houk) Walters of Lancaster, Missouri; and Laura (Brian Kline) Walters of Lancaster, Missouri; her grandchildren, Caleb, Gabriella and Nikolai Walters and Landon Kline, all of Lancaster, Missouri; her parents, Allan and Rosie Hansen of Atlantic, Iowa; her brother, Bruce (LeeAnn) Hansen of Atlantic, Iowa; her sister, Sonya (Tom) Gaines of Atlantic, Iowa; her aunt, Lynette Hansen of Atlantic, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Ted and Mildred Hansen; her maternal grandparents, Henry and Beulah Lilienthal; and several aunts and uncles.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 22, 2009, in the chapel at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, with the Reverend Steven Frock of the Brayton Lutheran Church officiating. Following the funeral service the family invites you to join them for a lunch in the Hockenberry Family Care Community Room.

Open visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 21, 2009, at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.