Janell Barber

Janell Martha (Claussen) Barber, 85, of Anita, Iowa, died Sunday, October 5, 2025, at Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa.

Janell was born on May 4, 1940, at the Atlantic Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa, the daughter of Albert Henry and Leona Elizabeth (Gundy) Claussen. Her father was a farm hand, so her family would move to where the work was. They lived in and around the Anita, Adair and Bridgewater areas. At an early age she had to grow up quickly when her mother suffered a health event that left her unable to care for the home. In later years, Janell was thankful for having learned the skills of a wife and mother. She prided herself on her ability to cook.

Janell met Rex Barber when she was 9, and he was 12. They dated in high school and married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Anita on August 1, 1956. They had four boys; Thomas, Roy, Jack and Dean, and there was nothing she loved more than being a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. As a family they went on numerous camping trips. Rex and Janell traveled to many places, including a trip to visit Dean and his family in Italy and a memorable Alaskan cruise. In retirement the couple wintered in McAllen, Texas

They were avid card players, teaching many family members, including their boys, the game of pinochle.

Janell was the bookkeeper for Rex Barber Electric and kept busy caring for the home, canning and freezing the produce from her garden and raising and dressing the chickens. She sewed, made some of the boy’s clothes, crocheted, and enjoyed Tri-Chem painting. Janell was an excellent cook, who stuck to home style cooking. For family potlucks she was known for her potato salad in the summer and her baked beans in the winter. Every birthday was celebrated with a homemade angel food cake.

After the kids were out of school she worked as a cook at Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Anita until her retirement. While working at the nursing home she took classes at Southwestern Community College in Creston on food safety and nutrition. Janell and Rex were active members of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Adair. They were also members of Crestwood Hills Golf Course where Janell made meals for the men’s league for many years.

Janell is survived by her sons, Thomas (Denise) Barber, Roy (Carol) Barber, Jack (Mitchell) Barber, and Dean Barber; grandchildren, Laura (Jason) Carley, Leisa (Stacey) Hamilton, Eric (Lucile) Barber, Aaron Barber, Dean Barber II, and Sasha (Eric) Rask; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Jim (Mary) Claussen; sisters-in-law, Lola Peterson and Norma (Glenn) Hemphill; brother-in-law, Tim Akers; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Rex Barber; parents, Albert and Leona Claussen; sister, Jolene Claussen; granddaughter, Claire Barber; brothers-in-law, Larry Barber and Walter “Bud” Peterson; and sisters-in-law, Ruth (Barber) Akers and Linda (Gundy)Barber.

A Celebration of Life service and luncheon to honor the lives of Rex and Janell will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, at the Anita Community Cemetery. Details will be decided in the coming days.

A private family burial will be held in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation.

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