Barbara Ellen Henry

Barbara “Barb” Henry, of Grimes, Iowa, passed away early Friday morning, August 7th, 2026, at the age of 88. She went on peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by loved ones.

In death, Barbara has joined her husband William “Bill” Henry; her parents, Dollie and Herman Claussen; her sisters, Shirley Runte (Clarence) and Margaret Mulligan (Edward); her brother, Floyd Claussen (Annabelle); her daughter, Debra Stephens; and first husband, John Stephens. She will be remembered fondly by her surviving children; Ricky Stephens (Peggy Reichert), Wanda Walker (Mike), and Rhonda DeLong (Andre’), as well as her sister Marjorie DeBoer, her grandchildren, great grandchildren; nieces and nephews. 

Born October 16th, 1937, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, as the fourth of five siblings, Barb’s father called her "Babala". In her youth, she enjoyed playing softball, ice skating and developed a lifelong affection for Elvis Presley. As time went on, when Barb wasn't homemaking or babysitting, she was enjoying her interests in square dancing, bowling, piñata making, and volunteering as an election poll worker and at the ice rink with her family. Barb loved playing cards, dominoes, and dice with friends and family. In her later years, she became especially active at her church and senior center, donating several handmade sleeping mats for the homeless and a variety of Elvis memorabilia and puzzles for bingo, as well as helping to found the senior center's annual Wii bowling tournament. At home, Barb enjoyed illustrating her own greeting cards and crafting a variety of pieces from yarn and plastic canvas, most notably her series of birdhouses. In her journal, she kept track of the weather each day and the rankings of Dancing with the Stars each week. She preferred the episodes of Bob Ross where he'd paint cabins, and she always wanted to try pottery. Barb was a strong-willed and quick-witted woman who loved doggies, babies, Mickey Mouse, cardinals, and Santa Claus. 

She taught us all to love ourselves and the world around us more deeply. Her compassionate spirit is irreplicable, and she is sorely missed.

Services in Grimes, Iowa: A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, October 15th, at 6pm, followed by a visitation dinner at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, with Pastor Mark Schlenker officiating. Address for St. Peter’s Lutheran Church: 1001 South James Street, Grimes, Iowa

Services in Council Bluffs, Iowa: A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, October 16th, at 1pm, followed by visitation at Timothy Lutheran Church, with Pastor Bill Clark officiating. Address for Timothy Lutheran Church: 3112 West Broadway, Council Bluffs, Iowa