Barbara Ellen Boley was born March 13, 1952, to Betty and Leo Boley. She left this earth on July 25, 2023, she was 71.
A memorial service will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday August 2, 2023, at Pedrick Funeral Home in Keosauqua with Rev. Bill Shewmaker. Visitation with family will be held from 10:00am to 11:00 am prior to the service. Private burial of cremains will be in Purdom Cemetery in Keosauqua. Memorials to Purdom Cemetery may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, 52556. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
As a youth, she attended the Van Buren Community School system. She graduated from Van Buren High School in May of 1970. Barbara then attended Parsons College and Iowa Wesleyan University to obtain her teaching degree. After college, she worked at Barker’s Equipment Company. Being an excellent cook, she took over management of the Corner Café, located in downtown Keosauqua. She also was a chef at the Stever House restaurant in Fairfield, IA. After that adventure, she became the head dietician at Van Buren Memorial Hospital. She held this position for many years.
One of her passions was art. She painted pictures, made crafts that she sold or gave away to friends. Barb, as she was known to most people, was a Girl Scout leader when Hollie was young, a member of the United Methodist Church, the Garden Club, very active in the American Legion Auxiliary, and a member of the Retired Women’s Breakfast Club.
In the last few years, she wrote a weekly article called “Keosauqua News” for the Van Buren County Register.
Barb never married. She did have a daughter, Hollie Lea Boley, who was born December 15, 1971. Hollie joined the US Navy and met her husband, Mark Rinschler. Hollie and Mark gave Barb her two grandchildren, Avery, and Braden.
One thing about Barb was her passion for the town of Keosauqua. She never left the town except to attend college.
She is survived by Hollie, Mark, Avery, and Braden Rinschler of Chesapeake, VA. Also, her brother Dennis Boley of Port Orchard, WA.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Betty and Leo Boley of Keosauqua, IA.
