Barbara Hart

Barbara King Hart peacefully passed away on Saturday, March 28 in Bettendorf, IA surrounded by loved ones.

Barbara was born in Chippewa Falls, WI on September 23, 1932. She and her 4 sisters were fortunate to be raised together by warm and loving foster parents, Lovin and Elizabeth Lauritzen who remained an important part of the family.

Barbara attended Colfax High School where she met Richard C. Hart and later married on her 18th birthday. They were married for 72 years.

Barb worked most of her life but, most notably as a telephone operator in Zumbrota from 1960 until 1976. When the local company was automated, she continued as an operator for several years at ATT in Rochester MN. For 2 years Dick and Barb lived in Belle Plaine, MN where they owned and operated a bowling alley with their son and daughter-in-law. They moved to Mt. Airy, NC in 1984 to be near their daughter’s family. Returning to Zumbrota in 2000, she worked in the kitchen at the Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School from 2000-2015. She also waitressed at the Webster Sale’s Barn cafeteria a few days a month well into her 80’s. A year after Richard’s death in 2022, Barb moved to Bettendorf IA to be near her daughter, 2 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Everyone knew Barb for her incredible baking. Whether it was her famous chocolates at Christmas, lemon pies for Land’s Church bake sales or a batch of cookies or bars, she loved making and giving it away. You never left her home without a plate of sweets.

The only thing she loved more than baking was her family. She was a rare spirit, sincere, genuine, kind and always smiling. She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother and would drop everything to be of help to her family and friends. She was an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins, Vikings and UNC basketball teams and could recite a myriad of statistics. She loved going to athletic games of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and cherished their accomplishments. Even though her eyesight was failing, she attended a basketball game just 4 weeks before her passing.

She is survived by two children: Joanne (Richard) Bartsh, Bettendorf, IA and David (Kathy) Hart, Lake City, MN. Also, five grandchildren: Allison (Michael) Walsh, Anthony (Lindsay) Bartsh, Tyler (Brooke) Bartsh, Kimberley von Knobelsdorff, and Jennifer (Jamie) Varner and 12 beautiful great-grandchildren: Katherine, Claire, and Emma Walsh, Owen and Molly Bartsh, Anna and Graham Bartsh, Lillian, Arlyn, Hermann, and Lewis von Knobelsdorff, and Maisy Varner. She is also survived by her sister, Jackie and several nieces and nephews.

She was proceeded in death by her husband and three sisters.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 18 at Lands Lutheran Church, Zumbrota with visitation one hour prior. Burial will take place at the church cemetery. A luncheon will be served immediately following. Arrangements handled by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson Chapel.