Barbara Lee Appleget, 84

Barbara Appleget

1939 - 2023
Barbara Lee Appleget, 84, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, entered eternity on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at MeadowView Memory Care.  A visitation was held from 4 - 7 p.m. on Monday, June 26, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home, 520 Wilson Avenue S.W., Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  A Celebration of Life Service was held on Tuesday, June 27, at 11:00 a.m. at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home, with burial following at Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Memorials in Barb’s honor may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, Cedar Rapids YPN We Care Shop, or Courage Ride (UIHC sarcoma cancer research program).

Barbara Lee Appleget was born May 15, 1939, in Sigourney, Iowa, to Paul Warn and W. Viola (Rice) Eldridge. Barb attended Sigourney High School, graduating in 1957.  She began her career working part-time during high school at Keokuk County Memorial Hospital and worked for Iowa Southern Utilities in Sigourney from 1957 to 1961. She was united in marriage to Rex Appleget on December 11, 1960, at the Christian Church in Sigourney, Iowa. After starting a family, Barb and Rex moved to Cedar Rapids in 1965.

In 1972, Barb began working at General Mills, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, where she proudly worked as an Engineering Assistant for 27 years. Barb enjoyed singing and was a member of the Cedar Rapids Sweet Adelines.  In 1977, Barb traveled with 5,000 Sweet Adelines members to compete in London, England, singing with her quartet, The Gentle Touch.

Barb was also a loving member of Cedar Christian Church. She served in leadership roles, sang in the choir, and helped as the church built a major addition. Barb also volunteered for many years at the We Care Shop, an incentive-based store where families earn points to purchase much-needed items for their families. She was part of the group of women who started the shop in 1993 in the church basement. For the last several years of her life, Barb attended Cedar Hills Community Church. Barb made many lifelong friends, including those that continued to visit Barb regularly at MeadowView.

Barb is survived by her husband, Rex; three sons, Scott (Cathy) Appleget of Cedar Rapids, Timothy (Kim) Appleget of New Hope, MN, and Eric (Julie) Appleget of Ely; two sisters, Donna Adam and Linda (Dyle) Van Fleet; seven grandchildren, Megan (Jeff) Salsbery, Nicholas Appleget, Sarah (Rob) Harris, Hannah (Andrew) Cockrell, Tyler Appleget, Sam (Lisa) Appleget, and Dani (David) Cluff; one great-granddaughter, Savannah Salsbery; as well as many special friends and extended family.

Barb was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Dorothy Jean (Mario) Daffara and Virginia (Leo) Hammes; five brothers, Charles "Bud" Eldridge, Robert "Buck" (Ruth) Eldridge, Jerry Eldridge, James Eldridge, and Larry (Carol) Eldridge; and a brother-in-law, Juan Adam.

Barb will be deeply missed by her family and friends.