Barbara "Barb" Donery

Barb was born in Des Moines to John and Marie Beauchamp on April 21, 1950. Barb was the oldest of 4. Her siblings are Jan Werth, Terry Rice (Jim Smith), and Mike Beauchamp (Penne). She was a beloved aunt to Chris Rice (Marcletta), Olivia Werth (Niki), Jason Werth (Casey) and Megan Werth. Great nieces and nephews are CJ Rice (Ariel), Chassion Rice, Christion Rice (Saddie), Chance Rice, Raquel Rice, Gage Hites, Darren Werth (Aaliyah), Alexis Werth and James Smith (Carolina). Great great nephews are Knolan and Luka Rice. When Sam, Sady, and children Sokha and Devi came over from Cambodia in 1979, they became a part of our family. Their youngest son Andy was born here in November, 1979. Sokha married Chhoum and they had two children Kevin and Alvin. Devi met her husband Jeff at Iowa State and they have two children Jeff and Sonja.

Barb received her teaching and masters degrees from Iowa State. While attending school she worked at McDonalds and during the summers as a camp counselor at Camp Fire Camp. Barb taught for over 35 years in special ed and math for Des Moines Public Schools. She taught first at Hoyt Middle School and then North High School. While teaching she also worked part-time at West Des Moines Park & Rec at the community center and at the Raccoon River Ballpark. After retiring she taught at DMACC for a few years. She also took care of our Uncle Roy, living with him his last three years until he passed at age 101. She loved to bake Christmas cookies and everyone loved her apple dumplings.

Barb loved to travel. Some of her memorable trips are with Earth Watch to Cameroon to try to discover new plants for medicinal use and with Megan to tag and track dolphins in Florida. With Friendship Force she went to Taiwan where she survived a typhoon. She also went to Nairobi and a safari in Kenya. She had been to all 50 states and several countries. With her sisters she went on an Alaskan cruise with a land adventure and trips to Maui, Oahu, Hawaii, and Kauai. Her last two big trips were with Jan on a European river cruise and a trip to Australia and New Zealand.

She was well loved by her family, friends, colleagues and students. She will be greatly missed.

Memorial Service

1:00 PM

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Sunset Memorial Chapel

7601 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321

Burial

2:00 PM

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Sunset Memorial Chapel

7601 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321