Johanna "Jo" Marie (Evers) Barta, 89, passed away Saturday Morning, May 26 at a local care center. Jo went to be with our Heavenly Father, Frank "Sam" (who she has missed dearly for the last 21 years), and the many family members who have preceded her. Johanna "Jo" was born on a farm outside Hildreth, Neb., the only daughter of John and Lena (Buss) Evers. Jo had a half-brother and three brothers. Jo graduated from high school in Hildreth and continued her education at the Hastings Business College in Hastings, Neb. While working at the Ford Garage in Hastings, Jo met Frank "Sam" Barta and they were married in 1939. Jo and Sam lived in Hastings until 1942 when they moved to Idaho. Sam worked construction projects for Morrison Knudsen, so Jo and Sam lived in many places including Mountain Home, Arco, Lyle (Washington), Cambridge, Hells Canyon (Brownleeand Oxbow), Boise, and Camden (Alabama). When Sam retired they moved to Mountain Home, after Sam's death Jo moved to Boise and then to Pocatello. In Pocatello Jo resided at Cotton Wood Cove and then Highland Hills. Jo was very devoted to Sam and was a very good homemaker, excellent seamstress, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Jo loved spending time with her family. Jo is survived by a daughter Debra (Steve) Beebe, La Quinta, Calif.; a son Willis (Norma) Barta, Chubbuck; a step-son Charles (Pat) Barta, Marana, Ariz.; and a step-daughter Phyllis Minnesota, Pocatello; a brother George (Lucille) Evers, Arvada, Colo.; 10 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. Jo was preceded in death by her parents John and Lena Evers, husband Frank "Sam" Barta, brothers Willis and Ray Evers, a half-brother Herman Evers, and a grandson Peter Barta. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 6 at 2 p.m. in the Downard Funeral Home, 241 N. Garfield Avenue with Bishop Gary Packham conducting. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, June 5 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Downard Funeral Home and again Wednesday June 6 from 1 to 1:45 p.m. prior to services. Burial and grave dedication will be June 7 in the Mountain View Cemetery, Mountain Home, Idaho.
Published in the Idaho Statesman on 5/30/2007.