Barbara Jean DeHaai, 72, of Gering, NE, passed away unexpectedly in her home on Saturday, December 25, 2021. Barb was born May 31, 1949 at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines, IA to Dick and Helen DeHaai. She grew up in Monroe, IA on the family farm and enjoyed helping her parents with farm work until she graduated in 1967 from Monroe High School. After graduation she continued to live in Monroe until she moved to Des Moines where she worked for Allied Insurance Company for many years and then with Nationwide Advantage Mortgage until she retired.
Barb was a member of New Life Church in Pleasant Hill, IA and enjoyed attending services regularly. She was a very generous, giving, and caring friend. She enjoyed helping others with yard work and loved to cross-stitch. She looked forward to her monthly card game with her group of friends and watching football. In January 2021, she moved to Western Nebraska to live closer to her sister, Marie, so they could travel more in their retirement years. They took trips to Italy and Canada and were able to enjoy Colorado, Montana and Wyoming. Barb was looking forward to their trip to The Netherlands in 2022 that was previously cancelled in 2020.
Barbara is survived by both family and friends that loved her dearly. She will be missed by her two sisters, Julia (Tom) and Marie, as well as her five nieces and nephews; Teresa, Rodney, Eric, Angie, and Jessica. Barb had many friends that she considered to be her family. She will be missed by her longtime friend and roommate, Frances Carley, and her extended family who Barb saw as her own. Barb was very close with Virginia Van Zee who she thought of as a daughter and with her best friend Suzette Grady.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Helen DeHaai. She will be laid to rest in Western Nebraska, however, a celebration of life may be held at a later date. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dugankramer.com for the De Haai family.
