Barbara Hornaday Graham died the evening of Wednesday, January 15, 2020, at Kavanaugh House, Every Step Hospice, in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 97. A celebration of her life was held at Plymouth Congregational, United Church of Christ on Tuesday, January 21.
Barbara was born in Des Moines on August 20, 1922, one of four children in the family of Dr. William R. Hornaday and Clementina (Wolfe) Hornaday. She attended Greenwood Elementary, Callanan Junior High, and Roosevelt High schools, graduating in 1940. She then attended Iowa State University for two years, where she was affiliated with Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Later in life she took classes at Drake University to add to her college credits.
In 1944 Barbara was married to John Graham of Des Moines, and they shared 63 years together until his death in 2007. Barbara supported her husband in all of his business dealings in Des Moines and throughout Iowa. She was an enthusiastic volunteer in many civic activities and served on the boards of organizations committed to children and health. For her service and philanthropy, Barbara was honored as one of DSM magazine’s 2016 Sages Over Seventy. Plymouth Church held a special place in Barbara’s life, where she was an active and supportive member for many years.
Barbara and John were blessed with three daughters, Martha James (Michael Myszewski), Melinda Antisdel, and Molly Alberty (Chip). While raising their family, they enjoyed their summer home on Gunflint Lake in Minnesota, which they built in 1963. They loved the Gunflint Trail and established many close friendships during their years there, working with local and seasonal residents to maintain its beauty and ensure its future. Barbara and John were early supporters of the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department; following John’s death, which coincided with the Ham Lake Fire, she maintained her strong support for the Fire Department as it continued to expand its services.
Barbara also was a strong supporter of the Gunflint Trail Historical Society, in particular the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center. As far as her family knows, Barbara still holds the record as the oldest person to run the zip line course atop the forest canopy at Gunflint Lodge, which she did at age 90.
Barbara is survived by her daughters: Martha, Melinda, and Molly; her nine grandchildren, Katherine Gillette (Graham), Allison Pugh (Jon), J. Graham James (Colleen), Megan Temme (John), Mary Elizabeth Hott (Tim), Chase Alberty, Tiffany Tibbetts (Cameron), Christopher Alberty, and Sierra Alberty; her eleven great-grandchildren, Connor Gillette (Kathryn), Will Gillette, Mary Katherine Gillette, Jack Temme, Charles Temme, Samuel Pugh, Graham Pugh, Harry James, Vivian James, Harley Hott, Jackson Tibbetts, and Jade Alberty; her brother William R. Hornaday, Jr., and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband John, and her sisters Margaret Nutt and Nancy Chambers.
Memorial contributions in Barbara’s honor may be given to Plymouth Congregational Church in Des Moines, Iowa, or the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department, Grand Marais, Minn.
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