Barbara G. Henderson

Barbara G. Henderson, 92, of Geneseo, Illinois, died Tuesday, November 12, 2024, surrounded by 4 generations of loving family at Hammond-Henry Skilled Care in Geneseo.

Services are 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 14, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Grinnell, Iowa, immediately followed by a reception. Cremation will take place at Trimble Crematory, Moline, Illinois, under the direction of Cremation Society of the Quad Cities. 

Barbara Gene Leasure was born December 16, 1931, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the daughter of Franklin and Olive (Sinnard) Leasure. She married Donald “Stretch” Henderson on March 9, 1951, in Newton, Iowa. He passed away on September 29, 1994. Both Barb & “Stretch” were basketball players in high school and met through mutual friends. They attended many dances together and were wonderfully in step with one another in life. They were avid golfers, spending many hours at the golf course. Minnesota was a yearly family vacation destination, spent with beloved friends, lake & beach time, potlucks, & sometimes “double bubble” cocktails in the evening with friends that became like family members. Three cherished daughters completed their family along with 5 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Enjoying many chapters in her life, she had boundless energy for her “grands” and “great grands” and enjoyed treating them to ice cream & endless rides on the golf cart.

A bank teller for 5 plus years, Barb enjoyed working at Jasper County bank, and had many friends there. She then worked at Newton High School as a Special Education assistant. She kept in touch with several of her students after retiring. Barbara was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton, Iowa. She also volunteered at the Newton Historical Museum and was a member of the Questers Antique Club. 

She is survived by her daughters, Paula (Glenn) Newell and Donata (Joe) Garvey; her grandchildren, Cari (Brad) Palmer, Patrick (Tara) Newell, Joseph Garvey, Audrey Garvey and Isabella Garvey; her great-grandchildren, Baylee Palmer and Kyah Newell; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Franklin and Olive Leasure; her husband, Donald “Stretch” Henderson; her daughter, Pam Henderson; and her brother, Tom Leasure. 

Condolences may be shared at CremationQC.com.