Barbara Ann Earle, 66, of Grundy Center, passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at her home in Grundy Center. A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 8, 2013 at 1:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church in Grundy Center with Pastor Mike Nemmers officiating. A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, April 7th from 4 to 7 P.M. at the Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center with a 7 P.M. scripture reading. Inurnment will follow the memorial service at the Rosehill Cemetery in Grundy Center.
Barb was born on December 14, 1946 in West Union, Iowa, the daughter of Harold & Lucille (Popenhagen) Tope. She grew up near West Union where she attended school. During High School, Barb played softball for the West Union High School Girls' Softball Team where her team took home the state championship title.
On January 9, 1966, Barb was united in marriage to Richard Keith Earle in Preston, Minnesota. The couple welcomed 7 children into their family. Barb was a homemaker for many years and later worked as a home health aide for over 15 years in Grundy County.
As a young adult, Barb came to trust in Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. Barb was a member of the First Baptist Church in Grundy Center, hosted many ladies bible study groups at her home, was a board member for the Kling Memorial Library in Grundy Center and volunteered with Cedar Valley Hospice and the Grundy County Memorial Hospital.
She enjoyed woodworking, gardening, cooking, painting and crafts and was an Iowa Hawkeye and St. Louis Cardinals fan. For those she leaves behind, she will be forever loved and remembered by those close to her, especially her children and grandchildren.
Barb is survived by her children Jeffrey (Amy Jo) of St. Louis, MO, Brian (Dawn) of Wellsboro, PA, Nicholas (Stacie) of Marion, Rebeca (Jordan) Dirks of Grundy Center, Joseph (Amy) of Harlan, IA, Robert (Jennifer) of Ithaca, NY and Jordan of Waterloo, IA; 12 grandchildren; brothers Roger (Margaret) Tope of Marion & Ron (Jan) Tope of West Des Moines, IA. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Richard.