Barbara Jane, the daughter of August and Hulda (Kleiss) Hesse, was born September 6, 1935 in Fremont Township, Bremer County, Iowa. She was baptized December 4, 1940 and confirmed June 5, 1949 at Grace Lutheran Church in Tripoli. She graduated from Tripoli High School in 1953. Barbara was united in marriage with William Seelhammer on July 26, 1953 at Grace Lutheran Church in Tripoli. William preceded her in death on June 21, 2000. Barb worked for Sieck’s Drugstore in Tripoli and for RGIS Inventory.
Barb’s death occurred Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa, after a short illness. She was seventy four years old. Barb was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Tripoli; the Grace WELCA; and the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, her lunches with the high school reunion committee, the Iowa Hawkeyes, reading, and crossword puzzles.
Barb is survived by two sons, Jim Seelhammer of Plainfield, Iowa; and Scott (Jody) Seelhammer of Garner, Iowa; two daughters, Jayne (Bob Aller) Seelhammer of Des Moines, Iowa; and Sue Allen of Tripoli, Iowa; four grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and two brothers, Arlyn (Alice) Hesse of Urbandale, Iowa; and Kelly (Lyn) Hesse of Tucson, Arizona.
Barb was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and four sisters, Lucille Johnson; Mercede House; Illa Elliott; and Marlys Goodenbour.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 12, 2010, at Grace Lutheran Church in Tripoli with Rev. Miles Renaas officiating. Interment will be held at Grace Lutheran Cemetery in Tripoli. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, March 11, 2010, at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour preceding services at the church on Friday.
