Barbara J. Then, 71, of Placid, Iowa, passed away on Monday, May 5, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her family, after a short and courageous battle with glioblastoma.

She was born on June 1, 1953, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of James and Dorothy (Myers) Cotant. Barbara received her education at Ss. Peter and Paul Schools in Sherrill and graduated from Hempstead High School in Dubuque in 1971. She furthered her education at the Dubuque Beauty Academy and worked as a beautician for several years. Later, she was employed at Ertl's and Modernfold in Dyersville and worked in the lunch program at Seton Catholic schools for five years.

On April 5, 1975, she married Ron Then at Ss. Peter and Paul in Sherrill. Together, they farmed on Johns Creek Road in rural Farley for many years. In 1995, they moved to the Then family farm near Placid, where they continued farming and raised their four children, who were her pride and joy.

Barbara was a kind and loving wife, mother, and grandmother, known for her great smile and contagious laughter. She enjoyed going to lunch and shopping with her daughters and baking cookies for her son. An exceptional cook, she was famous for her chocolate birthday cakes and delicious meals. Her favorite flower was the rose, and she ensured each of her daughters had Rose in their name. She loved her dogs and cats throughout the years.

She was a member of St. John's Parish in Placid, Iowa.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Ron Then of Placid; their four children, Angela (Andy) Sadewasser of Peosta, Matthew (Ashlee) Then of Placid, Rosanne (Nick) Gaul of Epworth, and Abby (Adam) Gansen of Zwingle; nine grandchildren, Benjamin Sadewasser, Austin, Aaron, and Collin Then, Dierks, Levi, and Cole Gaul, and Audrey and Hayley Gansen; two sisters, Doris (Mike) Kintzle and Judy (Bernie) Welter both of Dubuque; one sister-in-law, Sue Then, and one brother-in-law, Gerald Then both of Cedar Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her father and mother-in-law, Henry and Loretta (Sauser) Then, and three brothers-in-law, Richard H. Then, David "Eldee" Then, and Kenneth R. Then.

Visitation for Barbara will be held from 3 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 9, 2025, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Peosta, Iowa, where a prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held after 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 10th at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian burial for Barb will be held at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Peosta, Iowa. Burial will be held in St. John's Cemetery in Placid, Iowa.