Barbara J. Taggart

Barbara J. Taggart, 81, of Winterset, Iowa joyfully went to be with her Savior on Thursday, April 14, 2016 at the Madison County Memorial Hospital. She lived a charmed and amazing life and joined her husband of 57 years, who preceded her death in 2013. They are both now dancing together on the Far Side Banks of Jordan, drawing pictures in the sand.



Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, April 18, at Ochiltree Funeral Service in Winterset; where the family will be present to receive friends one hour prior to services beginning at 9 a.m.

Burial will follow in the Avon Cemetery near Carlisle, Iowa, where Barbara will join the love of her life in rest.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Madison County Elderly Services of Winterset and online condolences may be left for the family at ochiltree.com.



Barbara J. Smith was born in Des Moines, Iowa on November 21, 1934, the daughter of John and Virginia (Mealey) Smith. The family moved to Albia to live in the Frederickson home in the country and she and her siblings attended a one room school house. Barbara finished her schooling with her children at Carlisle High School. Her marriage to Ray Taggart took place on December 19, 1959.

It was important to Barbara that she raise her children and when they were all in school she began a career with Younkers at South Ridge Mall. She worked at Younkers for many years where she eventually became the office manager.

She has made Winterset her home for the past 20 years, having previously lived in Palm Springs, California and Des Moines, Iowa.

She loved music, dancing, camping and savoring time with her friends at the Winterset Meal Site. She was known for giving hugs to everyone and sending cards of encouragement. Above all else, Barbara was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother who loved nothing more than spending time with family. Everyone will always remember her smile.

Barbara is survived by her five daughters, Pamela Ayres of Sedona, AZ; Susan Malloy of Des Moines; Kimmy Foulds; Tammy (Mark) Ellwanger, and Sharee Owens all of Winterset; two sons, Everett (Kathy) Taggart of Snohomish, WA and Shane (Rene) Taggart of Mondamin; siblings, Tim Smith of Des Moines; Marietta Fortune of Pleasant Hill; 20 grandchildren, Wyatt Woods, Kodi Kae Callies; Winton and Tristan Foulds; Jason and Justin Taggart, Stefan Gillette; Paige and Travis Shivers; Stephanie Elkin; Brooke Ellwanger; Briahnna and Dustyn Wood; Tanner Owens; Marae, Heather, Nikkilas, Chelsea and Kaylinn Taggart; 15 great grandchildren, Eli, Owyn and Willow Woods; Chloe, Noah, Piper, Judah and Gwenyth Callies; William, Isabella, Quinten, Meya and Gianna Shivers; Kyra Darr and Landon Best.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ray; a daughter, Kay Taggart and 9 siblings, Earl, Albert, Ralph, Hank, Darlene, Daniel, Roy, Joe and Ruby.