Jean Helen Bauman Barrett, 90, of Waterloo, died Tuesday, December 9, 2025, while a resident of Wellspring Living Health Center at Friendship Village. She was born on November 11, 1935, in Parkers Prairie, MN, the daughter of Rueben Bauman and Hattie Gadow Bauman. Jean married James Barrett on June 21, 1952, in Waterloo, and the couple was blessed with five children.

Jean was a homemaker and mother, and raising five children was a handful. She used to be stretched almost daily and would frequently say “just you wait until your father gets home!” Yet Jean was a patient and sweet person who never complained, and she rarely tattled on the kids to Jim. Jean loved each and every one of her grandchildren unconditionally. She would always sing to the grandkids, “You Are My Sunshine,” and a Grandma Jean hug was the best. She enjoyed sewing as a means of providing for her family and was too busy to have any hobbies. However, she was known as the family laundry lady, because she wanted to help, and because it got her out of the house with Jim. In the end, Jean was frequently heard to say “I don’t care” as she never complained about her surroundings. She made friends easily, even during her short stay at Friendship Village, and the conversations were always about her family.

During their retirement years, Jean and Jim loved to travel. They were on many trips to Arizona and California, and a trip to Alaska and Nova Scotia were among their favorites. They also visited Niagara Falls.

Jean is survived by her children Mike (Nancy) Barrett, Nancy (George) Smith Rick (Cindy) Barrett, and Jody (Robert) Juhl, all of Waterloo, and Tom Barrett of Washburn, 9 grandchildren. 16 great-grandchildren, and many other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jim, her brothers Art, Donald, Harvey, and Roger Bauman, and sisters Harriet Angen Smith, Lucille Cordova, Ruth Wagner, Betty Bauman and Shirley Dale.

Funeral services for Jean will be Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 11:00 AM, at Locke at Tower Park, Kimball Ave, with burial to follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, December 17, from 4-6 PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions should be directed to the Friendship Village Foundation. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lockefuneralservicescom.