Barbara Newman

Barbara (Tharp) Newman, the only child of Lucy (Wilson) and Leslie R. Tharp, was born on April 21, 1914 in York County, Nebraska. She grew up near McCool Junction, Nebraska and graduated from McCool High School in 1931, and taught rural school in York County until her marriage. On December 21, 1934, she was united in marriage to Harry C. Dever. They were married for 17 years and blessed with three children, Barbara Leslie, Harry Joseph and Holly Ann. They lived in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. In 1950, Barbara embarked on a career in music which spanned the remainder of her lifetime. She played the organ in dinner clubs and country clubs in the Atlanta area.

In 1952, she became the wife of Horace "Fletcher" Newman. They remained in Atlanta until 1960, when they moved to Omaha, Nebraska. While in Omaha, Barbara played the organ at dinner clubs in Omaha and at the Officer's Club at SAC. The Newman's relocated to California in 1964, first living in the Bay area and eventually moving to Los Angeles. While in California, Barbara sold pianos and organs and taught organ technique for the Baldwin Organ Company.

Barbara and Fletcher retired to John Knox Village in Lee's Summit, Missouri in the spring of 1985. Fletcher died in 1990, and Barbara remained active there until 2005, when she moved to the Fox Run Assisted Living Facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa. This past summer, she was able to attend the 50th wedding anniversary celebration of her eldest daughter.

Barbara was a lifelong and active member of the Lutheran Church, and currently a member of Saint John Lutheran Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She was a member of the Musicians' Union, in addition to her love of music, enjoyed gardening and sewing and was a high energy person.

Barbara passed away at the Fox Run Facility on January 19, 2010, at the age of 95 years, 8 months, and 28 days. She was preceded in death by her son, Harry Joseph Dever; her husband, Fletcher Newman; and a granddaughter, Jennifer Rebekah Speck.

Barbara has four generations of survivors; her two daughters, Leslie and husband Paul Speck of Mineola, Iowa, and Holly and husband Neil Weigand of Lincoln City, Oregon. She leaves three grandsons, Brian Speck, Erick Speck and Jason Goins and one granddaughter, Gretchen and husband Ivan Jopp; five great grandchildren, Nicholas, Heather, Erin, Tyler and Emily Speck, and one great great grandson, Ethan.

Barbara was a body donor and interment of her cremains will take place at a later date in Mineola, Iowa.

Memorials may be sent to Saint John Lutheran Church, 7th and Willow, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, Habitat for Humanity, or to the preferred charity of the donor.