Barbara Jean Lightner

Barb Lightner, 94, formerly of Creston, passed away on February 20, 2025, at Woodlands Creek Assisted Living in Clive, surrounded by her family.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral home in Winterset. Visitation will be held prior from 10-11:00 AM. Burial will be in the Winterset Cemetery.

Born Barbara Jean Cameron on June 26, 1930, in Winterset, Iowa, she was the daughter of Arthur and Grace (Patton) Cameron. She grew up in rural Madison County and graduated from Winterset High School in 1948. After graduation in June of 1948, she began work at Farmers & Merchants State Bank in Winterset. She met the love of her life, Donald (Don) Lightner that summer and they were united in marriage on December 4, 1949. The couple began their life together farming and raising livestock in rural Madison County before moving to Taylor County and eventually purchasing a farm in Union County where they raised their three daughters. Barb and Don enjoyed 54 wonderful years together, before his passing in 2003. In 1960, after moving to their farm in Union County, Barb began work at the First National Bank in Creston. She continued employment there for 30 plus years, always enjoying customer service the most.

Barb was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She worked hard taking care of her family and home. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed gardening and canning in the summer. She also was a wonderful seamstress, enjoying sewing for her daughters and other family members.

What Barb loved most was her family. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were her pride and joy and they loved Grandma just as much as she loved them.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Diane (Mike) Sheil of Des Moines, Debbie (Jim) Gage of Ankeny, and Danette (Tom) Lesan of Creston; her grandchildren, Ryan Sheil, Callie (Bob) Rasmussen, Curt (Amy) Gage, Nicole Lesan (partner Alyssa Bast) and Caitlyn (Ryan) Maitlen; ten great-grandchildren, Sully & Sam Sheil, Savannah & Hayden Gage, Gavin, Raquel & Camden Gage, and Rylee, Emersyn & Cameron Maitlen; sister, Bev Fenimore; brother, Rex (Sharon) Cameron; sister-in-law Ruth Cameron; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In eternal life, Barbara is reunited with her loving husband, Don; her grandson, Nate Gage; brothers, Robert, Phil, & Ray Cameron; and sister, Margaret Gowin; along with many other cherished family & friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Southwestern Community College (SWCC) Education Foundation for a nursing scholarship, or the American Cancer Society.