Barb was born September 21, 1942 in West Des Moines to Clifford and Aletha (Harrison) Shutt.
She retired from Continental Western Insurance as an insurance specialist. She continued to work part-time at Hy-Vee. Her hobbies included reading romance novels, dancing, listening to country music, and traveling. Barb also enjoyed classic cars and going to car shows. She loved to go to garage sales and was an avid shopper and a savvy return specialist. Barb and Don spent winters in Arizona, where Barb was a frequent patron of the Naked Turtle.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Raymond R. Pater, sister, Beverly Howe and brother, Bernard Shutt. Barb leaves an everlasting love of her family, including her husband, Don Avise; children, Tom Faux Jr., Ray Pater (Erin), Rhonda Harkins (Jeff); step-daughters, Sheila Weeks and Anida Cap (John), Kris Guzzi (TJ), Shari Rudawski (Michael), Stacy Vasquez (Alex); 16 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends.
A special thank you to LaKisha Bassette, Linda Ryan, and Sara Coan from Caring Hearts Home Care, as well as the staff from Unity Point Hospice in Urbandale.
The family will greet friends from 5-7:30 pm on Thursday, September 6 at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines. Celebration of Barb’s life will be 11 am on Friday, September 7 at McLaren’s Chapel. A luncheon will follow the service.