Barbara Marie Amsden

With heavy hearts, we announce our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, Barbara Marie Amsden, was received into Heaven on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at the age of 76. She is together again with her beloved husband, Lawrence. Barbara was born on May 21, 1949, in Edgewood, the daughter of Berdien and Lucille (Easton) Friedley. She was raised and educated in the Edgewood area and was a 1967 graduate of Edgewood-Colesburg High School.
In October 1966, Barbara was united in marriage to Lawrence "Shorty" Amsden at Trinity United Methodist Church in Edgewood. Two children were born to this union. The family lived in the country until moving to Edgewood in 1970. Shorty passed away in 1995. In 2006 Barbara moved to Marion and then throughout northeast Iowa, before settling in Strawberry Point most recently. Barbara worked at Fareway for 29 ½ years and then worked at Walmart for 11 ½ years. In 2017 Barbara retired from Walmart and began doing childcare for her great-grandchildren.
In her younger years, Barbara was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, and Hope Circle in Edgewood. She taught Sunday School for many years. Barbara was also a member of the Pythian Sisters. Barbara helped with both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and was a member of the Edgewood American Legion Women's Auxiliary. After moving to Strawberry Point, Barbara became an active member of the Community Bible Church and gained a circle of close friends. She made many quilts, loved to read and play cards, and was a wonderful cook. Barbara was always willing to help a friend in need. She never missed a grandchild's or great-grandchild's event. Barbara cherished her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include her two children, Deanna (Ken) McCusker of Maquoketa and Delbert (Dawn) Amsden of Collins; six grandchildren, Amanda (Heather) Becraft, Luke Dement, Taylor (Brett) Marshall, Brendan Amsden, Alex (Angel) Amsden, and Casey Amsden; nine great-grandchildren, Nathan, Jace, Aubrey, Adrian, Junior, Hazel, Lincoln, Gracelynn, and Amara; three siblings, Sandy (Wally) Gehrke of The Colony, Texas, Brenda (Kenneth) Friedley of Garnavillo, and John (Jane) Friedley of Volga; sister-in-law, Wanda Amsden of Elkader; and several nieces and nephews.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lawrence "Shorty"; brother, Edward Friedley; sister-in-law, Emma Lou Gull; and brothers-in-law, Carl Amsden and Lloyd Amsden.
The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Above and Beyond Hospice and Pastor Bruce Klett for all the wonderful care given to their mother.
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