Virginia R. Barnett (1920-2007)

WATERLOO - Virginia R. Barnett, 86, of Waterloo, died Tuesday, March 27, at Allen Hospital of heart failure.

She was born July 30, 1920, daughter of Ora and Pearl Smith Hickman. She married Paul Barnett on Oct. 11, 1939, in Waterloo.

Mrs. Barnett worked at Wells Department Store, Woolworth's, the Daisy Maid Grocery, Meadowdale Grocery, and as a nurse's aide at St. Francis Hospital. She also was a charter member of Hagerman Baptist Church.

Survivors include: her husband;

a son, Paul Jr. (Deb) of Dubuque; four daughters, Patricia (Don) Herbsleb, Carol (Erwin) Luloff and Diania (Keith) Schultz, all of Waterloo, and Carla (Jim) Amling of New Hartford; a daughter-in-law, Kathy Barnett of Waterloo;

19 grand-children, 21 great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter;

and a brother, Dale (Verna) Hickman of Ephrata, Wash.

Preceded in death by: a son, Douglas; six brothers, Trecle, Claude, Harold, Verle, Jack and Paul Hickman; two sisters, Marilyn Deeds and Lucille Newman; two grandsons, Douglas Taber Schultz and Randy Craig Luloff; and a granddaughter, Angela Barnett.

Services: 11 am. Friday at Hagerman Baptist Church, with burial in Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery. Public visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Kearns, Huisman-Schumacher Chapel on Kimball, and for an hour before services Friday at the church.

Memorials: may be directed to the church or the family.

Condolences may be left at www.kearnsfuneralservice.com.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Virginia Barnett

Virginia Barnett was born July 30, 1920 in Waterloo, daughter of Ora T. and Pearl M. Smith Hickman. She married Paul Barnett on October 11, 1939 in Waterloo.

Virginia was employed by Wells Department Store, Woolworth's, the Daisy Maid Grocery, Meadowdale Grocery, and as a nurse's aide at St. Francis Hospital

She was very faithful to her church, and served in the toddlers department for years in Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Virginia was a charter member of Hagerman Baptist Church, which is this year celebrating 70 years. She loved her church! She took everybody she knew and would go with her to church. She drove the church bus for a while, picking kids up for Sunday School.

"Virginia loved everybody," the family told me, and Paul included, "She even loved me." She loved children and could make them smile. She loved her God and that's where her strength came from. She absolutely loved her family and extended family. She loved getting together, and would often be heard saying, "It's been a long time since we've all been together." Every Sunday for years she and Paul would have the whole gang over for beef and noodles on Sunday after church. Sometimes it was standing room only during the winter months, otherwise the grandkids would sit out on the picnic table. She made everyone feel like they were the special child. Anytime someone came over, she'd always ask, "Are you hungry?" Then she's twist their arm to have some fruit or a cup cake or something. You couldn't leave the house without a hug, and she wouldn't end a telephone conversation with "Goodbye," but rather "I Love You."

While Paul loved to fish, Virginia loved to read her Bible, so she would sit in the car reading while Paul hooked a big one. She loved adventure, and loved going on roller coasters. She would try anything, and always wanted to ride in a hot air balloon. She loved to crochet, and would make an afghan for all of her grandkids. She made it a point to remember and send cards for all anniversaries and birthdays - no surprise to anyone here, I imagine.

Survivors include: her husband;

a son, Paul Jr. (Deb) of Dubuque; four daughters, Patricia (Don) Herbsleb, Carol (Erwin) Luloff and Diania (Keith) Schultz, all of Waterloo, and Carla (Jim) Amling of New Hartford; a daughter-in-law, Kathy Barnett of Waterloo;

19 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter;

and a brother, Dale (Verna) Hickman of Ephrata, Wash.

Preceded in death by: a son, Douglas;

six brothers, Trecile, Claude, Harold, Verle, Jack and Paul Hickman;

two sisters, Marilyn Deeds and Lucille Newman;

two grandsons, Douglas Taber Schultz and Randy Craig Luloff;

and a granddaughter, Angela Barnett.