Barbara Ann (Ganther) Bunting

Barbara Ann (Ganther) Bunting

Marion

Barbara Ann Ganther Bunting, 98, beloved wife of the late Rhiney Bunting, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend, passed away July 20, 2024, at Terrace Glen Village, Marion, Iowa.

A visitation will be held Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 9-11 am, at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, rural Monticello. The funeral service will follow at 11 am. Thoughts, memories, and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com. The entire obituary may be seen at this same website. Memorials may be sent to Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, Monticello, or to Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Marion.

Barbara is survived by 6 of her 7 children: Diane Keys, David (Ann), Dale (Terri), Dean (Kim), Darrell (Kathy), and Dorothy Montgomery; 19 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren plus a 36th due in January; her brother Dr. Howard Ganther; many nieces and nephews; and friends of all ages.

Barbara Ann Ganther, the daughter of Ed and Marion Ganther, was born November 1, 1925, west of Adrian, Missouri. She graduated from Adrian High School and attended Central Business College in Kansas City, Missouri. She was working as a civilian at O’Reilly Army General Hospital when she met her future husband at a Christmas dance. Barbara married Rhinehart “Rhiney” Bunting on August 5, 1945, at Grace Methodist Church, Springfield. They lived in Anamosa; farmed south of Viola; and then, in retirement, moved to Marion.

Barbara raised her children and volunteered at church and as a Bluebird and Campfire leader. She loved gardening, entertaining, traveling, genealogy, dancing, letter writing, doing crossword puzzles, reading, and history.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Rhiney; her daughter Darlene Bunting Minx; and, in 2023, by her sisters Dorothy Hughes and Thelma Yancey.

The Bunting family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of Terrace Glen Village, Marion, and Hospice of Mercy for their compassionate and thoughtful care of Barbara and her family. We would also like to express our love and gratitude to Barbara’s devoted caregiver and dear friend Ed Fowler.