Obituaries : Mary Eichler Augustine Root Barr

BLAIRSTOWN: Mary Eichler Augustine Root Barr, 88, died Sunday, August 9, 2015 at the Keystone Nursing Care Center in Keystone following an extended illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 13, 2015 at St. John Catholic Church in Blairstown with Father Craig Steimel as Celebrant. Interment will be held at the Ladora Cemetery in Ladora, IA. Friends may register at the church after 9 a.m., on Thursday. A Memorial Fund has been established for the Keystone Nursing Care Center. To honor Mary’s wishes, the casket will remain closed at all times.

Mary Lois Eichler was born June 8, 1927 on a farm southwest of Watkins, the daughter of Edward and Evelyn (Brown) Eichler. She graduated from Marengo High School in 1945 and then worked at the Trading Post/Metoo Store until she married Neil Augustine and they farmed north of Ladora. He was killed in an auto accident and she later married Gene Root. They farmed south of Blairstown.

She helped with the farming, enjoyed sewing and crocheting rugs. Mary was the best cook – especially her chocolate cake with fudge frosting. She and Gene enjoyed traveling and Gene died from a sudden heart attack.

Later she married George Barr and they moved into Blairstown. They enjoyed the casino. He died in 2014.

Those who survived are her daughter, Linda Kay Augustine Nowotny, siblings Sally Ollinger, and Ed (Carleton) Eichler, Kay Augustine Morgan and many nieces, nephews and friends.

In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by her sister, Lorraine Von Lienen.

Phillips Funeral Home in Blairstown is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be left at: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com