Barbara Matthews

Barbara Sue Wall Matthews was born to Eleanor Bryson and William Wall on September 23, 1942, in Council Bluffs, IA. She was the third of nine children and they lived on Woodbury Avenue, with the Hartley and VanEvery families as neighbors. Barb graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Council Bluffs with the class of 1960 and helped her parents with the family home and raising of the younger siblings.

She was united in marriage to Orrin "Obie" Keith Matthews on December of 1965 at the Methodist church in Oakland, IA. The wedding took place on the third try. The first two wedding dates were cancelled due to her mother being in the hospital.

Together, they had three children; Amy, Kim, and Jay were raised on the Matthews family farm where large gardens, crops, and livestock were raised. Both of their families were large and enjoyed time on the farm. It was often called the "Funny Farm" and was the center of many family gatherings. Barb loved the quiet of the farm and the abundance of stars they could see. She milked cows, gathered eggs, canned vegetables, chased both hogs and cattle when they got out, bucket-fed calves, and bottle-fed piglets. Barb did not like all aspects of the farm - snakes. She killed one by throwing her shoe on it, hit it just right and it died.

She was part of the neighborhood club that met monthly. The ladies would get together and play games and have a dessert. She enjoyed her time with these friends.

She worked at the HiWay Café in Oakland, Kmart and Sears in Council Bluffs.

Barb and Obie moved to 19th Street in Council Bluffs in August of 2015. They enjoyed their new neighborhood families. They planted a tree in the front yard that the neighbors named Sigmond. Previous families had not been able to get a tree to grow. Barb put several bird feeders out for her feathered friends. Barb loved having family and friends to her home. She always would be ready to help others by giving prepared food, groceries, gifts for families at Christmas, etc.

She was famous for her saying "Obie do something......"

Barb was preceded in death by her husband, Orrin Keith Matthews; parents, Eleanor and William Wall; sisters, Phyllis McComb, Beverly Archer, Ruby Baily; brothers, James Wall, Charles Matthews, Lorrin Matthews, Donald Matthews; sisters-in-law, Patricia Wall, Margaret Wall, Katherine Matthews, and Phyllis Matthews.

She is survived by her children, Amy (Lee, MM1/SS) Conner of Auburn, NE, Kimberly Matthews of Newark, DE, Jay (Kelly) Matthews of New Hampton, IA ; grandchildren, Erin (Ziv) Conner, of Auburn, NE, Jennifer Lawson, of Newark, DE, Justin (Naomi, RS3) Lawson MM2, of Annapolis, MD, Jayda Nehl, of Ames, IA, Layne Nehl of Cresco, IA; great grandchildren, Giana, Willow, Amarah, Bayleigh, Mila, Alex; siblings, Bill, CPO (Lois) Wall of Louden, TN, Yvonne (Roy, A1C) Bacchi, Omaha NE, Dan Archer, Omaha NE, Lloyd (Judy) Wall, Monmouth, IL, Lucinda (Rick, E2) Spreng, Council Bluffs, IA, Maryann Martinez, Council Bluffs, IA, June Matthews, of Johnston, IA; friend, Freida Peterson, Oakland IA; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and great great nieces and great great nephews and friends.

Funeral service is Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home & Crematory. Memorials will be directed by the family.