Barb Weirich

Barb Weirich, 71, formerly of Oakland, Iowa, passed away Sunday, January 26, 2025, at CHI Health Mercy in Council Bluffs, Iowa, surrounded by family.

Barbara Kay Weirich was born on January 21, 1954, in Red Oak, Iowa, the daughter of Gerald Wesley and Wilma Waller (Berry) Weirich. She grew up on a farm east of Lewis, Iowa; where she and her 3 siblings completed a daily list of chores, which included gathering the eggs. At an early age she took to life outside at the farm; working alongside her dad any chance she could. Barb was like a sponge. She absorbed every skill her dad was doing so that she would be able to complete it on her own the next time. Her memory and ability to immerse herself in any task, big and small, was remarkable; a quality that was always evident throughout her life. Without going into much detail, let’s just say that Barb did whatever she could to get out of chores inside the house. She did learn to sew but only doing projects that were fun to her. Barb attended elementary school in Lewis, junior high in Elliott, and graduated from Griswold High School in 1972. 

Following graduation, she enrolled in classes at the Commerce School of Business in Omaha. While in Omaha, she worked as a teller for Occidental Savings and Loan until moving to Rhode Island, where she was blessed with her son, Chad Michael. She later returned to Oakland, Iowa, where her parents lived and worked various jobs including working alongside her dad and brother in their concrete and grain elevator construction business. In 1985, she began a 35-year career at Steve Emken Trucking where she became the heart of the office; ordering, running parts, dispatching, payroll, and anything else that needed accomplished. 

Barb was a member of the Lewis Church of Christ where she was an active member from an early age. She and her sisters were volunteered by their mother for many church activities. She continued giving her time to the church with the Ladies Aid as an adult. She also helped her mother assemble program books for the Federated Club. Barb helped with food distribution, bookkeeping and ordering for Share Iowa. Barb was encouraged to become a blood donor by her dad and was a faithful blood and platelet donor, donating just shy of 9 gallons of blood products throughout her life.

Barb was one to dedicate herself fully into everything she did. Barb was a talented singer which came from her mother. She became involved with the local community theatre at Grist Mill Fine Arts Council in Macedonia and Wilson Performing Arts in Red Oak performing in musicals and plays. Barb not only directed the productions but was also an active part of the cast, singing, acting, and designing the sets. One of the most memorable parts she played was Mother Superior in “Nunsense.” She loved singing and was involved in trios and choruses. Always up for something new, she and Chad took juggling lessons at the Omaha Community Playhouse and took part in the Old English Feast at the Renaissance Fair where she sold honey. 

Barb’s willingness to always help and her creative ways led to many calls from friends and family to help decorate an event or something at their home; she was very particular on how things looked and could think outside the box to achieve a wonderful result. She often said, “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing it right!” There was never a doubt if something was needed Barb would be right there to help in any way she could; always someone you could count on. 

The joy Barb brought to all her friends and family will always be treasured whether it was through her ability to make people laugh or feel loved by her trademark hugs. And we must not forget her sarcasm, always joking with her son of why he was so sarcastic sometimes leaving him to say, “I learned it from the best!” 

Barb was a dedicated mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her greatest joy was spending time with the children in her life whether it was playing games or giving rides on her motorized chair.

Barb will be deeply missed by her son, Chad Weirich of Elk Horn, NE; granddaughter, Codie Jo Weirich of Fremont, NE; great-granddaughter, Kaycie Aelin Weirich of Fremont, NE; sisters, Carol Weirich of St. Ann, MO and Leah (Scott) Muxfeldt of Logan, IA; many nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins; and countless friends including, Mike Harvey and Sue Jones.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Wilma Weirich; brother, Royce Weirich; niece, Jordan Muxfeldt; and great-nephews and great-niece, Westyn, Waylon and Whitley Muxfeldt. 

Visitation with the family present will be held at from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Thursday, January 30, 2025, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 31, 2025, at the Lewis Church of Christ. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Lewis.  The service will be recorded and available on the funeral home website by end of day Friday.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Barb’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.