Barrett, Lilla

Lilla Barrett, 89, passed away Saturday, April 24, 2010, from congestive heart failure at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 28, at the Dallas Center United Methodist Church, with burial to follow at the Brethren Cemetery. Visitation begins 3 p.m. Tuesday at Iles Funeral Homes Brandt Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

Lilla was born June 28, 1920, in Des Moines, to Earl and Helen (Hicks) Rossiter. The family lived in many cities due to her father's employment. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines in 1938 and from Iowa State University in 1942 with a B.S. degree in textiles and clothing. Lilla married Harold Barrett in 1942 at her parents' home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They moved to the Barrett family farm south of Dallas Center, where they made their home and raised their three sons. In 1972, she and Harold moved into their new brick farm home which Lilla designed.

Lilla was a lifelong member of the Dallas Center United Methodist Church, where she served in many capacities, including church historian, head of the memorial fund, and member of United Methodist Women. She served on the ISU Kappa Delta Sorority Alumni Board for many years and loved attending ISU women's basketball games. Lilla was also a member of the Dallas Center Woman's Club, a charter member of William J. Wagner Questers, and a former member of the Des Moines Rose Society.

Other interests included antiquing, camping, bird watching, and creating personalized greeting cards on the computer. But most of all, she had a great love and affection for her family.

Lilla is survived by her husband, Harold; her sons, Tom (Judy) Barrett of Dallas Center, Mark (Joan) Barrett of Ames and Dan Barrett of University City, Mo.; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dallas Center United Methodist Church or Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center.