Tarwater, Barbara Helen Plattenberger

Barbara Helen Plattenberger Tarwater, 60, of Cedar Rapids and formerly of Martelle, died due to a recurrence of breast cancer, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2009, in Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids. Celebration of Life Services will be at 4 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Cedar Rapids. Friends may call Wednesday from 4 until 7 p.m. at the church. Private family burial will be in Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery.

Barbara is survived by her parents, Robert and Roberta Wilson Plattenberger of Martelle; her children, son Kevin (Kathy) Mahraun, and their son Kameron, of Massachusetts, and daughter Janine Mahraun of Maryland; three sisters, Margaret Sadeghpour-Kramer (Monte Kramer) of Mount Vernon, Marilyn (Jared) Bauch of Traer, and Dr. Robin Plattenberger (Richard Gilmore) of Washington, Iowa. Barbara also is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and many loving friends.

Barbara was born Feb. 8, 1949, in Cedar Rapids. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1967. Barbara graduated with her Bachelor of Arts from University of Northern Iowa and Master of Arts in Library Science from the University of Iowa. Barb was a stay-at-home mother.

Barbara shaped lives of students for the last 24 years as the Library Media Specialist at Marion High School. She provided books for children and tutored people of all ages. Barbara championed the rights of everyone, working tirelessly for many good causes and will be remembered for her generous advocacy for others.

She was a dedicated and loving mother, grandmother, sister, daughter and friend.