Barbara A. Leth

Barbara Ann Leth, daughter of George and Mildred (Goodwin) Beck, was born April 9, 1928, in Carroll Iowa. Barb lost her father when she was six years old; at this time the family moved to Sloan, Iowa to live with her mother's family. Barb grew up in Sloan, and graduated from Sloan High School as Valedictorian, Class of 1946. She then went to the University of Northern Iowa and became a teacher. Barb also attended Texas Trinity University, Iowa State University, and Drake University, to further her education. Barb taught school for 37 years and was voted Teacher of The Year in Ankeny, Iowa. Barb loved teaching and continued tutoring students after she retired. Barbara was baptized at a young age and was a devout Christian. She belonged to the Ankeny United Methodist Church, and later to the Spirit Lake United Methodist Church. Barb was active in her community with church activities, Meals On Wheels, Hospital Pink Ladies, and Garden Club. Her joys in life were her family, friends, garden, and her famous 4th of July parties. Barb met her husband, Richard Robert Leth, while they both attended college at Cedar Rapids. They were married while Dick was in the Air Force on May 23, 1950, in Texarkana, Arkansas. Their oldest son Robert was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, and sons Rick and Ross were born in Des Moines. They lived most of their married life in Ankeny, Iowa, until they retired and moved to Spirit Lake. Because of Barb's failing health, caused by Alzheimer's disease, she joined her husband at Lake Park Care Center in 2001. She passed away Friday evening, November 30, from complications related to Alzheimer's disease. Preceding her in death were her parents, stepfather Christian Hollinger, and sisters Shirley Davis and Christie Soukup. Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Richard; sons, Rob, and his wife Marlys, of May City; Rick of Des Moines; Ross, and his wife Jonna, of Johnston; grandchildren Andy Leth and his wife, Kate; Nichole Leth; Jonathon and Aliyah Leth; step-grandchildren Chris and Cara Duncan, and Terry and Melissa Hesse; 6 step-great grandchildren; sister Lois Olson of Marathon; brother-in-law George Davis of St. Paul; and a host of relatives and friends.