Barbara Joyce Thunhorst, the daughter of John A. and Madge (Mosher) Raber, was born on September 3, 1927 in Le Mars, IA. She was raised and received her early education in Le Mars.
Barbara married Robert Thunhorst on June 16, 1947 in Le Mars. Following their marriage, the couple lived and worked in several communities through the years in northwest Iowa and southern Minnesota. Barbara lived the longest in Primghar, close to 30 years, where she worked at the nursing home in the housekeeping department. She moved to Spencer in the late 90’s.
She was an active member at Grace Lutheran Church in Primghar, was an avid book reader and loved to go camping. She was a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones and especially her beloved Minnesota Twins.
Barbara passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer at the age of 97. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her son, Richard and her daughter, Rebecca Vander Tuig.
Left to cherish her memory are her two sons: Robert of Iowa City and Trace of Ames; her son-in-law, Bob Vander Tuig and his wife, Laurie; her daughter-in-law, Mary Thunhorst; her 7 grandchildren: Trent Thunhorst and his wife, Holly, Jenna Peter and her husband, Jefferson, Angie Edington and her husband, Jay, Janelle Elsbecker and her husband, Andrew, Kyle Vander Tuig and his wife, Shana, Tyler Vander Tuig and his wife, Kelli and Gus Champlin; 10 great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.