Barbara Hedges

Barbara Dorrene Hedges, age 81, of Mena, Arkansas, died Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at The Cottages in Mena. She was born on Tuesday, April 18, 1944 to Virl Lottie Wanker.

Barbara was a Christian woman who spent her life supporting her family as they moved to several different states. Her final years were spent in Mena where she enjoyed the picturesque mountains and climate. In her free time, she enjoyed traveling, bowling, camping and soap operas. Cooking was not a favorite task of hers. However, she did make the best burned grilled cheese sandwiches, which we kidded her about all the time. Barbara was a loving mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend and will be missed by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her stepfather, Glen Walters and her mother, Virl Lottie Walters; her husband, Charles Hedges; sister, L.Ann Camack and nephew, Steve Carlson.

Barbara is survived by her daughter and son in law, Kandy and Calvin Ortgies of Marion, Iowa; her two grandchildren, Christopher Ortgies of Cedar Rapids,Iowa and Sean and his wife Kelsey Ortgies of Marion, Iowa; Six great grandchildren George, Prudence, Fred, James, Hannah and Samuel ;her nieces, Renee and Annette; and her very good friend Ed Gibson and a host of other friends from Yocana Baptist church.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday December 30, 2025, at 10:00 A.M. at the Yocana Baptist Church with Brother Frank Gibson officiating. Interment will follow at the Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena. Visitation will be Tuesday December 30, 2025 at 9:00 A.M. at Yocana Baptist Church.

The family would like to thank the care team from cottage 9 at The Cottages for the loving care they gave her.

Pallbearers will be Calvin Ortgies, Ed Gibson and Brent Foss. Honorary pallbearers will be Christopher Ortgies and Sean Ortgies

Online Guestbook: www.bowserffh.com

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