Barb Dickson

BARB DICKSON

Cedar Rapids

On Friday, May 29, 2015, Barbara Jane Klotzbach Dickson died of aspiration pneumonia at the home of her daughter in McGregor, Iowa.

Barb was born April 17, 1925, in Monona, Iowa, to

Harrison and Orelle Olmsted Klotzbach. The family lived in Froelich, and Barb graduated from nearby Monona High School in 1942. That year, her family relocated to Cedar Rapids, where Barb attended Cedar Rapids Business College. She was, in turn, employed by Happel and Sons, Globe Machinery and Universal

Engineering.

Upon early retirement after 25-plus years with Universal, where she was credit manager, Barb returned to her childhood home in Clayton County. She worked briefly for Bituma and the Monona department store.

A member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the United Methodist Women's group and the Froelich U&I Club, Barb also was instrumental in the inception of the Froelich Foundation, an organization dedicated to preservation of local history – she volunteered many years as the General Store museum's curator. In addition, she was a longtime supporter of the Monona Historical Society, where she served as secretary/treasurer.

Over her lifetime, Barb was active in 4-H (as a member and later as a leader), participated in the Universal company choir, and received recognition as a four-gallon blood donor.

Barb valued family and cared for them through the domestic arts. In her free time, she'd often sit on a porch, deck or patio with something to read and a glass of iced tea.

Barb was preceded in death by her husband, Robert P. Dickson, and an infant daughter, Sandra Lee.

She is survived by two daughters, Joi (Jim) Cowell of McGregor and Paula (Jeffrey) Barbour of Des Moines. A son, Wendell (Jeannie) Rainbolt, lives in Las Vegas, Nev. Her brother, Barton (Shirley) Klotzbach, lives in Madison, Wis., as do many nieces and nephews. There are four grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Sandi (Brian) Matson, Chris (Marcie) Rainbolt, Kelsey and Riley Barbour and Kenzi Matson.

Memorial services will be 2 p.m. July 11 at Giard United Methodist Church. Interment of ashes will happen later this year at Parker's Grove Cemetery in Shellsburg during a private ceremony.