Barbara Jean Beck of Manchester

Barbara Jean Beck, 96, of Manchester, passed away on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, surrounded by her family at Regional Medical Center in Manchester.

Barbara was born on July 11, 1930, in Waterloo, Iowa, the daughter of Robert and Goldie (Engelman) Huntbach. She was raised and educated in Waterloo. On October 11, 1948, she was united in marriage to Wilbur Beck in Hernando, Mississippi. Four children were born to this union.

The family moved to rural Manchester in 1968. Barbara was a devoted stay-at-home mom who enjoyed being a “professional” shopper and loved creating a variety of crafts. For more than 20 years, she and her daughter, Pat, sold their crafts throughout Northeast Iowa. In later years, Barbara also sold at flea markets with Wilbur.

Above all, Barbara loved her family and cherished the time she spent with them.

Those left to cherish her memory include her four children, Linda (Jack) Schaffer, Robert Beck, Pat (Bean) Helmrichs, and Cindy (Tom) Beck, all of Manchester; 13 grandchildren, Lori Jacobson, Shannon Sauerbry, Zach Sauerbry, Vicki MacFarlane, Sandi Warthan, Valori Kelley, Austin Schaffer, Brandon Schaefer, Shane Schaefer, Kara Brady, Crystal Helmrichs, Matthew Helmrichs, and Katrina Weaver; 17 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In 1981, Barbara endured the tragic loss of her parents to a double homicide while courageously battling breast cancer, a battle she fought and won.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wilbur; her brother, Arthur Robinson; her sister, Carol West; and her great-grandson, Zayden Weaver.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

A private family service will be held on Monday, October 26, 2026, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester.