Barbara Rose “Barb” Michaelsen, 68, of Waterloo, died Sunday, December 20, 2020 at Denver Sunset Nursing Home in Denver following a lengthy illness.

She was born October 27, 1952, in Belmond, IA, daughter of Alvin and Dorothy Young Huinker. Barb graduated from Newman High School in Mason City in 1971, earned her bachelor’s from UNI in Home Economics, and master’s in education from Viterbo University.

She married Larry Michaelsen August 21, 1999 at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls. She was a teacher in the Waterloo Community Schools, in special education at West High School, reading and math at Expo, and Family Consumer Science at Carver Middle School. She was a member of Nazareth Lutheran Church, ALS Association, and Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Barb is best known for her big heart and kind spirit. She was warm, gentle and patient with anyone she met. She championed those around her, from her students to her family. She had a way to always make you feel valued. Barb’s unwavering faith and genuine concern for those around her were seen, big and small, in everything she did. “There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they have gone, their light remains.”

Barb is survived by her husband, Larry, of Waterloo; daughter Liz (Ben) Patterson of Cedar Falls and their children: Claudia, Veronica, Mikolai, Jacob, Samuel, Abram, and Sloane; daughter Becky (Eric) Lins of Cedar Falls and their children: , Molly, Cooper, and Charlie; step-daughter Sheri (Chris) Payne of Cascade and their children; Carli and Candace Payne, and Carrie (Dustin) Wells and their children Carter, Chloe, and Aiden; step-daughter Jennifer (Dan) Beagle of Ludlow’ KY. She is also survived by her mother Dorothy Huinker of Garner; two sisters, Pat (Gary) Book, and Mary Jo (Steve) Ames both of Garner; three brothers, Larry (Jolene) Huinker of Anamosa‘ Bill Riley of San Diego’ CA, and Tom ( Lisa) Huinker of Garner; and sister-in-law, Conrae Huinker of Garner. She is preceded in death by her father; and brother Jim Huinker.