Barbara Ann Benskin

Barbara Ann Brenton Miller Benskin, 90, of Waterloo, stepped into Heaven and joined her Savior for eternity on November 13, 2023. She was born on July 27, 1933, on the family farm in Villisca, IA, the daughter of John and Violet Egleston Brenton. Barbara married Howard Miller on June 17, 1951, and they later divorced. She married David Benskin on November 9, 1967, and both preceded her in death. Barbara was the mother of 6 children and spent 30 years as a clerk with the Black Hawk County Treasurer. She was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church.

Barbara was a strong, independent woman who is remembered as being a faithful prayer warrior. While growing up on the farm, she was the family's number one farm hand. Barbara attended a one room schoolhouse that sat on the family farm. She left the farm and moved into a boarding house in town to attend high school. There she shared a room with Betty Darnold and the two became lifelong best friends. Barbara enjoyed drawing, painting, sewing, crocheting, knitting, gardening, and watching her show-As The World Turns. She loved to cook and bake, especially bread, cinnamon rolls, and homemade noodles. Canning and freezing the vegetables from her garden was a necessity. Barbara also enjoyed numerous cross-country trips with David on the motorcycle. Barbara taught Sunday school and was an ordained Deacon and Elder with First Presbyterian Church.

Barbara is survived by her children Teresa (Jerome) Kluth of Eugene, OR, John (Nancy) Miller of Waterloo, Rochelle (Rory Sr.) Dolan of Cedar Falls, Laurel (Martin) Hansen of Muscatine and Duane Benskin of New Hartford; 8 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren with one on the way; and numerous other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husbands; son David Jr. at birth; stepdaughter Anna Rainey and her children Jackie and Addam; and brothers Bernard and William Brenton.

Funeral services for Barbara will be Friday, November 17, 2023, at 11:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church, 505 Franklin St, Waterloo, with burial to follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 4-7 PM at Locke on 4th St., 1519 W 4th St, Waterloo. Memorial contributions should be directed to First Presbyterian Church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lockefuneralservices.com.