Guelda Barbara Stamper Barker
Guelda Barbara Stamper Barker
Guelda Barbara Stamper Barker, daughter of Grant Albert Stamper and Mildred Pearl Keller Stamper, was born January 26, 1923, on a farm in Grant Township, Ringgold County, Diagonal, Iowa. She lived all her life in Ringgold County with the exception of 7 years spent in Creston, Iowa as a child, where her father had employment working for the railroad. The depression hit and many were laid off from their jobs, so the family moved back to Ringgold County.
She attended country school through the eighth grade. She was able to skip from 4th to 6th grade after taking a county test. Guelda graduated 8th grade with the honor as one of the top students in the county. She attended Diagonal High School, graduating in 1940.
In 1942 Guelda married Donald Alfred Shrimpton. He was killed in action January 10, 1945, at Luzon during WWII. To this union a son, Jerry Duane, was born. In October 1947, she married Marshall Earnest Barker and to this union two daughters were born, Marlys Jeanne and Janet Lynn. Jerry was adopted by Marshall.
Guelda was baptized into the Methodist faith at an early age. She was a devoted farm wife all her married life plus worked for the Mt. Ayr Community School in the lunchroom for 30 years. She started as a dishwasher and retired in 1991 as head cook.
Besides visiting and laughing with friends and family in person or by phone, one of her favorite pastimes was making birthday and anniversary cards for her friends and family. Some of her cherished memories was when her Grandson, Cory Knedler nominated her to be on the show “My Grandmother’s Ravioli” with Mo Rocca and the wonderful production crew that she met while filming and being featured in the holiday issue of Our Iowa magazine with her homemade fudge recipe.
Guelda was able to be in her own home until a few weeks after her 101st birthday. She especially enjoyed when her Great Grandchildren visited and brought her Pirouette rolled cookies which they would all “fake” smoke. She never lost her sense of humor or her love for her family and good friends.
Guelda passed away peacefully on February 4th at Clearview Home after celebrating her 102nd birthday on January 26th. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Donald in 1945 and Marshall in 1996, her parents, brothers, Doyle E., Donald Gene, and Phillip Dan and close sisters-in-law, Gloria and Louise Stamper and Laviece Barker.
Surviving is her son, Jerry Duane (Jean Pottorff) of Mt. Pleasant, IA, two daughters Marlys Jeanne Meacham (Charles) of Tucson, AZ, Janet Lynn Knedler (James) of Topeka, KS; five grandchildren, Karmen Renee Smith (David) of New London, IA, Darrel Gene Barker (Diann) of Madison, WI, Kelly Rae Knedler (Tami) of Belleville, KS, Cory Shawn Knedler (Young Ae) of Sioux Falls, SD, Brent Michael Knedler of Brighton, CO and granddaughter in law, Beth Samenus; five great grandsons, Bradyn Lee Smith, Zachary Nicholas Parker, Marshal A. Knedler, Alden Grant Knedler and Jayden Knedler; five great granddaughters, Lindsay Marie Smith, Epiphany Sandra Knedler (Tim Rickett), Hope Grey Knedler, Aria Larue Smith (Riley) and Jordan D. Knedler, sister-in-law, Mary Stamper and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Armstrong Funeral Home. Casketbearers were Alden Knedler, Marshal Knedler, Bradyn Smith, Zach Parker, Riley Smith, Scott Peterson. Honorary Pallbearers were Harold Crawford, Steve Trullinger, Larry Giles, Ed Rotert, Keith Sackett, Fred Shields, Benson Hainline. Special songs recorded earlier by her grandson, Kelly Knedler. were Amazing Grace and He Lives. Burial followed in Rose Hill Cemetery. In Lieu of Flowers, memorials are to Mount Ayr United Methodist Church and Mount Ayr School Meal Fund.
