Barbara “Barb” Jean Clarahan, 84

Barbara “Barb” Jean Clarahan, 84, of Montrose, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at her home in Montrose.

Barb was born on June 7, 1940, in Hayesville, lowa, the daughter of Willard "Pood" and Lora (Wilkening) Utterback. Barb was a graduate of Sigourney High School with the class of 1958. She then furthered her education attending St. Joseph's School of Nursing in Ottumwa, Iowa, graduating in 1961 with honors. 

Barb was united in marriage to Pat Clarahan on October 1st, 1961, at the First Methodist Church in Sigourney, lowa. Barb and Pat lived in Mt. Pleasant from 1964 until their move to Burlington in 1966. Their family later moved to Montrose in 1977. 

Barb worked as a Registered Nurse at the Keokuk County Hospital in Sigourney, lowa, for a year and a half, the Mental Health Institute in Mt. Pleasant, lowa for one year, Burlington Memorial Hospital for ten years, and finished her nursing career Keokuk Area Hospital, where she worked for twenty years until her retirement in 2005. 

Barb enjoyed spending time with her family and had many hobbies, including gardening, painting, reading, birdwatching and needle work. She was also a lover of all animals. Barb was a member of the Montrose United Methodist Church, where she enjoyed participating in the annual Fall Festival and other activities there. 

Barb loved her husband of 63 years and their four children: Paul (Julie) of Bellview, Nebraska; David of Riverside, lowa; Patricia "Tricia" Wilson (Michael) of Riverside, lowa; Elizabeth "Libbie" Shields (Todd) of Montrose, lowa; her grandchildren Lilly née Devin, Zachary (Emily), Marcus, Madison, Brianna, Katelin (Seth), Jacob, Katherine "Kat" (Julio), and Maureen; her great- grandchildren Sawyer, Mavryk, Ryden and Raelyn; her sister Sue Hadley, her brothers Poodie (Jan) Utterback and Dan (Gidget) Utterback; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by both her parents, and one sister, Katie Lee Beach of Utah. 

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Printy Funeral Home, 917 Blondeau Street, Keokuk, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 15, from 2 to 5 pm, with family meeting friends from 3 to 5 pm at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the Montrose Library or Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice.