Barbara Pettit

March 1, 1934 - April 8, 2017

Barbara Chesser Pettit, born March 1, 1934 in Ottumwa, Iowa to James and Claudia Clara Kendall Chesser went to her eternal resting place on April 8th, 2017. She graduated from Ottumwa schools in 1952 and later worked at the Wapello County Court House. She also attended beauty school to become a beautician. July 4th, 1952, she was united in marriage to Ronald Allen Pettit at the Alpine Church in Agency, Iowa. They lived in Ottumwa and had three children, Victoria, Tami and Michael, moving to Oskaloosa in 1963. After moving to Oskaloosa, Barbara worked at home caring for her family. She used her time and talents in organizations her kids were involved with as they grew up. Barbara loved to travel with Ron. They experienced a life of great travels throughout the world. Tokyo and Morocco were her favorites and was always speaking of the culture and lifestyles as history was her passion. They were members of the St. James Episcopal Church and was busy throughout the years volunteering for the many jobs needed there. Pancake Days was the big event of the year and she would always be busy in the kitchen making pancakes covered with flour, mixing the “secret recipe” kept in the church vault. She was a board member of the YMCA and volunteered for various organizations. After retirement, they purchased a vacation home at the Lake of the Ozarks. This was such a great joy to her to have family there and enjoy all the togetherness of having fun on the lake. Fishing off the dock with her grandkids, watching them spend endless hours swimming, or the countless board games played. “Winner, winner chicken dinner!” There was no doubt her grandchildren were the love of her life. The joy they brought to her was obvious when she was with them. Lewy Body and Parkinson’s slowly took her away from us, taking her memories and ability to care for herself. Ron spent time caring for her at home, with love and compassion he kept her there as long as possible, but the burden was getting harder and she moved to Homestead Assisted Living and Memory Care and then to Oskaloosa Care Center. Ron visited her every day with a kiss and good wishes, he later became too weak to make the visits and passed in September 2016. She as a joyful, adventurous, loving lady. We will miss her surprise visits with food, flowers or a special gift. But most of all we will miss her smile, her hugs, and her never-ending love of us all. She is survived by her children: Victoria Lee Pettit of West Des Moines, Tami Lynn (Jack) Rempe of Leighton, and Michael Allen Pettit of North Port, FL. Six grandchildren: Mackenzie (Toby) Hughes of Wes Des Moines, Nicholas (Nicole) Rempe of Bondurant, Tyler Rempe of Bondurant, Christopher Rempe of Pella, Hannah Pettit of Fenton, MO, and Logan Pettit of Highridge, MO. Five great grandchildren: Gracie Hughes, BeBe Hughes, Daltry Hughes, Elise Rempe and Rhett Rempe. One brother: James (Kara) Chesser, Jr. and a sister Beverly Grothe of Climax Springs, MO. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron Pettit, her parents, a daughter-in-law Annette Pettit and a half-brother Carl Melvin Chesser Memorial services will be held Friday, April 14, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Terry Kleven officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa at a later date. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Friday at noon until service time in the Bates Funeral Chapel. Memorials may be made to St. James Episcopal Altar Guild.