Barbara Fath

Barbara Fath, 89, passed away Friday, March 1, 2019 at Calvin Community. Visitation will be 5-7pm on Thursday, March 7 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, 8201 Hickman Road in Urbandale, and will conclude with a rosary at 7pm. The funeral mass will be at 10:30am on Friday, March 8 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 2926 Beaver Avenue in Des Moines, with burial following at Glendale Cemetery. Barbara was born in Osceola, IA to Harry and Mary Thompson, then later moved to Des Moines, and graduated from St. Joseph Academy in 1947. She married Christian Fath on August 7, 1948 and together they raised six children. Barbara was an active member of Holy Trinity Church and School and the Christian Family Movement. She will be remembered by her family and friends for her wit and great sense of humor which always made us laugh. Mom was kind-hearted, and a wonderful cook and baker. We remember her glazed donut-making phase, helping us make our individual homemade pizzas, putting two homemade cupcakes in our daily school lunches, and getting to pick our favorite meal and dessert on our birthdays. She was quick to make a meal or homemade chicken noodle soup for anyone who was sick, always had homemade chocolate chip cookies available -- even sending some overseas to a family friend in Vietnam -- and always provided all who entered her home with something to eat and drink. She was very hospitable and loved to talk whether in person or on the phone. We remember our Mom with love and smiles and knew how proud she was of each and every one of us. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Chris; brother, Leonard Thompson; son, Robert; and infant daughter, Mary Ann. Survivors include her sister, Teresa Thompson; son, David (Annette) Fath; daughters, Deborah (David) Owen; Susan (Robert) Knudson; Mary (Allan) Kramer; and Lisa (Jeff) Broderick; eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Calvin Community Good Samaritan Fund, or Mercy Hospice. Online condolences may be left at caldwellparrish.com.