Beloved mother, wife, sister and grandma, Barbara Ann Bode Muller died on April 17th, 2022, Minneapolis Minnesota.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri on 10/28/29 to Loretto and Clem Bode, Barb moved with her family to Cedar Rapids, Iowa where she attended Mount Mercy high school and college. After graduating from Mount Mercy in 1949, Barb taught fourth grade at Sacred Heart in Oelwein, Iowa.
On June 9, 1951, Barb married Thomas F. Muller in Cedar Rapids. They celebrated 53+ years together, also living in Iowa Falls, Anamosa and Manchester, Iowa. While raising her family she restarted her career as a librarian at Manchester Public Library during the late 60s. After moving to Coralville, Iowa in 1970 she worked for a short time at the Coralville Public Library and then at McGurk Myers as a payment clerk. Barbara retired as a Surgery Billing Clerk from University of Iowa Hospitals.
Barbara was an integral part of a loving marriage and a supportive partner. During time spent raising her family and working, indoors, Barbara was an avid reader and greatly enjoyed the New Yorker and Atlantic magazines. She followed politics closely and always had Iowa Public Radio on in the background. Outdoors, she loved gardening, and she had a special amazement for the great creations of nature and humankind. Her love of nature and especially birds was passed down to her children.
Another part of Barbara’s legacy was her excellent cooking. Honorable mentions are, Texas Sheet Cake, Brownies (no frosting necessary!) and Aunt Selma’s Best Oatmeal Cookies. Barbara was understanding and sympathetic to the underdog. Somewhat melancholy, humble almost to a fault, and always full of gratitude. If you were a “sweetheart”, “sweet pea”, “spirit” or a “rabbit” you were in her magic circle.
She will be missed greatly by her family and loved ones. Survivors include children: Tom Jr. (Tricia), Sara, John (Aida), and Paul. Sisters, Mary Ellen (Jim), Ginny (Tim), brothers Phillip (Jan), and Kevin. Sister-in-law, Nancy (David). Grandchildren: Ian, Laura, Brianna, Meggan and Evan. Special nieces: Julie Browning (Bruce) and Kim Newcomb (Steve), and favorite son-in-law, Doug Smith. Barbara was preceded in death by husband, Tom Muller, brother David Bode and Clem and Loretto Bode.
The family would like to express extra gratitude to Bonnie and Eric Weldon for their above and beyond care of Mom at her home in Iowa City. In Richfield, Minnesota we are grateful to the Pines and Havenwood facilities. We are especially grateful for the Memory Care staff at Havenwood for their loving attention to Barbara.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the charity of your choice. Inurnment for Barbara and Tom is scheduled for 2pm, Saturday, October 8th, 2022, Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.