Ms. Barbara Jeanne Blair

Barb was the oldest daughter of Dr. Donald and Leah (Conzett) Blair. At the age of 6, her family settled in Des Moines, Iowa where Barb grew up and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1963. She earned a B.S. in Fashion Design from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. In college and in her young adult life, she was an award-winning fashion designer. She took her first job designing with Russell-Newman, one of the largest manufacturers at that time of children and women’s sleepwear and intimate apparel in the United States.

Barbara and her daughter Verity made their home in Des Moines, Iowa. For over 20 years, she excelled in her role as a corporate recruiter for Meredith Corporation, known for publishing Better Homes and Gardens magazines and cookbooks. Barb was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, where she volunteered much of her time helping with student activities and community outreach.

The Lord blessed Barb with the gift of beauty-creating and she used this gift to bless others throughout her entire life. Over the last 25 years of her life, this took the shape of dozens of handmade quilts and hundreds of uniquely-designed and handmade cards and scrapbooks, all regularly gifted to family and friends. She was an active member of the Des Moines Area Quilters Guild and won many awards for her beautiful quilts. She also enjoyed leading art classes and sharing her love of stamping and card making with the residents at Autumn Glen Senior Living Community in Coon Rapids, Minnesota.

Despite her love of creative design, her true joy was in her family, including her daughter Verity (Blair) Mick, her son–in-law Ryan, and her four grandchildren, Carrick, Caedmon, Ainsley and Faith. She moved to Coon Rapids in 2015 to be closer to her growing family, and was proud to show off her grandkids to her neighbors during their frequent visits to her apartment. She loved supporting them at all of their school and extracurricular activities and frequently volunteered at their school and church during their elementary years. In 2019, she moved in with her family and they loved sharing daily life with her up until her passing.

Barbara passed away after years of courageous perseverance through many illnesses and health challenges, secure in her faith in Jesus Christ. She is survived by her sister, Linda Blair of Des Moines, Iowa, her daughter and son-in-law and her grandchildren. She was preceded into eternal life by her parents and grandparents Lyle and Claire Conzett. She is greatly missed by all her family and friends who loved her dearly. We can take comfort in knowing she is finally at peace in the loving arms of her heavenly Father.

Consistent with Barb’s wishes, there will not be a memorial service. A private interment at Resthaven Mausoleum in West Des Moines, Iowa will be held this summer. The family is grateful for the many private expressions of support they have received. Memorials may be given in Barb’s honor to Westminster Presbyterian Church (https://www.westpres.org/howtogive) or Feed My Starving Children (https://tinyurl.com/Give2FMSC)