Barbara Rose Lozier

Barbara Rose Lozier, age 88, passed away peacefully from natural causes at Walnut Ridge Long Term Care Center in Clive, Iowa on May 6th, 2024. She was born on October 26, 1935 in Des Moines, Iowa, the only child of the late Clarence A. Reibert and Delphia Marie (Walden) Reibert. She was raised in the Beaverdale neighborhood of Des Moines, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1953. She met her adoring husband, the late William (Bill) Lozier on a blind date when they were both sixteen years old. They were married on September 3, 1954 and were together until Bill’s passing on February 26, 2013.

Barb was graced with an infectious smile, never to be seen without her signature red lipstick. She was easy to please and open hearted but ready and determined for whatever came her way. She believed in fairytale endings, her favorite movie being Pretty Woman. She loved to shop, especially for beautiful clothes and shoes and always looked her best when leaving the house. Barb had many interests, continuously immersing herself in multiple projects. Most notably she was a skilled and prolific knitter, proudly earning her many ribbons at the Iowa State Fair. She was a force at the bridge table, her superpower being the ability to count cards! Rarely seen without a book in progress Barb was drawn to romance and mystery novels, especially Nora Roberts and later her J.D. Robb detective series. Ice cream, cookies and all things sweet were her favorite simple pleasures so she adopted a very active exercise regime of walking for miles and going to the gym to balance out her love of sweets with her passion for clothes and beauty. Barb and Bill loved to travel and although both were rooted in their beloved Des Moines they began their winter treks to Bonita Springs and later Napels, Florida in the mid 1980’s to escape the harsh Iowa winters.

Barb also enjoyed her professional career, receiving her stenography and secretarial credentials after graduating from high school. Her first job was with Prudential Life Insurance. Soon after the birth of her first daughter Sherri in 1957 she stopped working to become a full-time mother. She then had two more daughters, Lynda in 1960 and Debbie in 1961. In 1965 she began balancing work and motherhood by becoming an Avon representative in her neighborhood, taking her youngest daughter Debbie by her side on her selling campaigns until she started school. In 1970 Barb picked up where she left off with the insurance industry taking a managerial position with Preferred Risk. Her true calling however became executive secretarial work, her first job in that field being with Pester Derby in 1971. When her boss retired ten years later, she was hired at Eli Lilly, working up until they moved their Des Moines office to Illinois in 1989. She enjoyed both jobs immensely, embracing new technical challenges, professional expertise, communication skills and personable charm to the highest degree.

Barb is survived by her three loving daughters, Sherri Lozier Gindlesperger (Russ), Lynda Lozier, Deborah Lozier Sarto (Eivind), grandson Robert Miller, great granddaughter Lilliana Mae Hearold-Miller and niece Melanie Lozier Henke (Greg).

The family extends their utmost gratitude for the loving care Barb received from the staff at Walnut Ridge and Hospice of the Midwest. Through their kindness and loving hands, she found lasting trust and peace. You may send memorial contributions to Hospice of the Midwest - 9249 Northpark Drive, Johnston, IA 50131 (515) 218-2143.

A celebration of life for Barb will be held on Sunday June 23 at 2 pm at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel.

If you'd like to view a recording of Barbara's service, you may use the following link: https://youtu.be/1npV6hKwdA8?si=BtlQU9wDs-TG_dqf