Barbara J. Walzem

1925 - 2019

Barbara J. Walzem

October 23, 1925-January 5, 2019

DAVENPORT-Barbara Jo Walzem, 93, of Davenport, passed away Saturday January 5, 2019 at home.

Private services will be at St. Pius X Church, Rock Island. Burial will be at National Cemetery, Rock Island. Memorials can be made to the Church or Alleman High School.

Barbara was born October 23, 1925 in Rock Island, the only daughter of M.J. and Valera (Junkins) Torrance. She married William "Buzz" Walzem on June 1, 1946 in Iowa City. The couple settled in Rock Island where they raised a family of 9 wonderful children. Mrs. Walzem and her husband moved to Davenport in 2010.

Barbara attended the Villa de Chantal, a twelve-grade Catholic girls academy in Rock Island, prior to earning a B.A. degree at the University of Iowa and a B.F.A. degree at Sienna Heights University (SHU) in Adrian, MI.

Barbara was a member of St. Pius X Church, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector, was a volunteer at area food pantries, hospitals, and other institutions for those in need. She was a former member of Oakwood Country Club, Coal Valley, and became an accomplished artist over the years. Barbara especially enjoyed acting in local theater productions; she was selected as lead actress in several plays sponsored by SHU and the Adrian Theater. She also loved golf, painting, reading, playing cards, and the many visits from her children and grandchildren.

Survivors include her devoted husband of 72 years, Buzz; children, Janis Walzem, Boise, ID, Lisa (Ron) Woo, Williamsburg, VA, Bill Walzem, Lake Wells, FL, Torrance (Sue Ann) Walzem, Louisville, KY, Joe (Bobbi) Walzem, Sherrard, Anna (Tim) Emery, Corvallis, OR, Vincent (Linda) Walzem, Tacoma, WA and Allen (Yunwei) Walzem, Taiwan; 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Charles.

Condolences may be left at www.RaffertyFunerals.com