Barbara M. (Bruner) Bateman was born on September 4, 1932 in Decatur County, Iowa, the daughter of Reatus William and Bessie M. (Manchester) Bruner. Barbara entered into the presence of the Lord on Friday, January 8, 2010 at her home in Shenandoah, Iowa.

Barbara's family were tenet farmers who moved frequently when she was younger in order to support their family. Growing up Barbara lived in Decatur County, IA, Osceola, IA, Winterset, IA, Minburn, IA, Earlham, IA, Maxburg, IA, and finally in Essex, IA. Barbara graduated from Essex High School with the Class of 1952.

On May 22, 1964 she was united in marriage to Lyle A. Bateman at the Baptist Church in Shenandoah, Iowa. The couple resided in Shenandoah for 8 years before moving to their farm in Rural Farragut. Sometime following Lyle's passing Barbara moved back to Shenandoah.

Barbara was a hard working and fun-loving person. She worked for Union Carbide in Red Oak, IA from 1952-1953 and then for City National Bank in Shenandoah for 38 years until her retirement. In October of 2005, she decided to come out of retirement and worked at the Shenandoah Medical Center for an additional 4 years.

Barbara had a passion for helping others. She could often be seen taking people to doctors appointments, hair appointments, or to the grocery store. She loved to travel with her friends and collect angels. Barbara rarely missed an opportunity to have coffee with her friends. That time of fellowship was very important to her. She will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her brother Kenneth Roy Bruner, her parents, sisters Arvilla Preston and Betty Bruner, and a brother Otis "Bill" Bruner.

Those left to honor her memory include her brothers Charles Bruner and wife Joyce of Arvada, CO, James Bruner of Essex, IA, Elmer Bruner and wife Beverly of Sun City, AZ, and Don Bruner and wife Patti of Council Bluffs, IA, many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and a host of good friends.