Doris Barker

Doris "Diane" Barker, 69, of Ames, IA passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at Windsor Manor in Nevada, IA.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Restland Cemetery, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas. Ames Cremation is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at AmesCremation.com and RestlandFuneralHome.com.

Diane was born December 30, 1955, in Dallas, Texas, to Randall and Marjorie (Washington) Barker. She graduated from W.W. Samuel High School in Dallas, TX in 1974 before earning both her bachelor's degree and Master of Library Science from Texas Woman's University in Denton, TX in 1979.

Her lifelong love of books led to a fulfilling career as a librarian. She began at the Lubbock Public Library, where she worked from 1979 to 1987 and later continued her work at the Harris County Public Library from 1987 until her retirement in 2020. Diane lived in Texas most of her life before moving to central Iowa in 2022 to be near her sister, Janet.

In her free time, Diane was an avid reader and especially enjoyed the worlds of Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and the novels of Anne McCaffrey. She also collected memorabilia from her favorite series. She loved cooking, baking, and wearing beautiful jewelry, and she delighted in attending Renaissance Festivals. Diane had a lifelong fondness for cats and the joy they brought into her life.

Faith and service were important to Diane. She was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and also belonged to the Texas Library Association and the American Library Association.

She is survived by her sister, Janet B. Payeur of Ames, Iowa; her brother, Ronald O. Barker of Orange, Virginia; eight cousins; sixteen nieces and nephews; eighteen great-nieces and great-nephews; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert C. Barker.