Barbara Jane Oberhauser

Barbara Jane Oberhauser, 84, formerly of La Porte City, passed away on March 4, 2025, at Metropolitan Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, TX, with her daughter, Sharon by her side.

Barb was born on September 7, 1940, on a farm near Gilbertville, IA, daughter to Andrew and Beatrice (Schares) Weiden where her mother taught school in a one-room schoolhouse nearby. She and her three sisters lived their early days on the farm. Barbattended grade school at Immaculate Conception School in Gilbertville. When she was very young, Barb's right hand was injured in two separate accidents. The family later moved to Waterloo, where she attended St. Mary's Catholic High School. After graduating, Barb was employed by Black's Department Store as a clerk and records keeper from 1958 – 1964. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends with stories of her childhood antics on the farm and in the city.

Barb met her husband, LeRoy Oberhauser at a ballroom in Janesville. After they were married, the couple moved into a family farmhouse in rural La Porte City. Barb was a homemaker while LeRoy had a career at John Deere working in the factory. Together, they raised five wonderful children. She cared for LeRoy's elderly aunt, Helen Oberhauser, who lived next door. Barb began working as a nurse's aide at the La Porte City Nursing Home after most of her children had grown. Later, Barb and her dear friend Lana opened Country Air Daycare that they ran together for a few years. In the years before LeRoy's death, he and Barb set up business at local flea markets and antique stores and enjoyed hunting for treasures.

She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Porte City where she was an officer for the Rosary Society and St. Catherine's Circle. Barb was also the church's religious education coordinator for 10 years and taught classes for 6 years. She also served as a Cub Scout Den Mother for several years.

Aside from family and dear friends, Barb's loves in life included knitting, cross stitching, traveling, collecting angels and Western crocks, Coca Cola, and vanilla ice cream. She was famous for her delicious and beautifully decorated sugar cookies. Barb loved spending time with friends and family and was a favorite aunt to her innumerable nieces and nephews. She delighted in giving creative gifts for graduation and birthdays. The family enjoyed camping around Iowa and Minnesota and often hosted extended family gatherings on the farm for holidays. Barb was very patriotic and held a large celebration with fireworks for the 1976 Bicentennial.

One of her epic trips included a drive to Alaska with LeRoy, his father, Henry, and Uncle Ed, to visit LeRoy's brother, Ron. She was in awe of the Northern Lights and spoke of them often. In the early 2000s, she took a dream trip to Europe with a friend, where she visited Rome, Egypt, and Turkey and cruised the Mediterranean, making a stop at the Canary Islands on the return trip home across the Atlantic. Barb later took another cruise with her niece Deb Weber, which started at the Rose Parade in California, took them through the Panama Canal, and ended in Ft. Lauderdale. Another memorable trip was to Hawaii, also with Deb, her niece, Rose Dabillo, and great friend, Peg Mangrich. This trip was especially notable as they were under a tsunami warning while there. While her son, Mark and family were living in China, she made an incredible solo journey there to see them.

In 2017, Barb moved from La Porte City to San Antonio, TX, to be closer to most of her children. In recent years, she has been thrilled whenever she could spend time with her 17 grandchildren and 2 great-grandsons. She also enjoyed playing Mexican Train Dominoes and other games.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, LeRoy; and three sisters, Maryann Webber, Audrey Murphy, and Wilma Brustkern.

Barb is survived by her sons, Allen (Kathryn Larson) Oberhauser of Shoreline, WA, David (Kelly) Oberhauser of San Antonio, TX and Mark (Joni) Oberhauser of East St. Louis, IL; daughters, Jane Oberhauser of Houston, TX, and Sharon (Todd) Bloomer of San Antonio, TX; 17 grandchildren, Alayna & Walker Baron, Hailey, Bethany, Andrew, Tori, and Zoe Bloomer, Sean, Tyler, and Alex Oberhauser, James, Nate, Truett, Abe, Isaac, Delaney, and Avonlea Oberhauser; two great-grandsons, Jaycen Oberhauser and Cody Pittman (Oberhauser)

Visitation: Family will receive friends from: 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Locke in La Porte City, 606 E. Main St., La Porte City. Visitation will begin with a rosary at 4:45 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 14, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1021 Poplar St, La Porte City.

Private family inurnment will take place at a later date in West View Cemetery-La Porte City.

The Oberhauser Family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Barb's honor be directed to St. Francis Nursing Home or Metro East Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Locke in La Porte City is serving the family. Please visit lockefuneralservices.com to offer your condolences.