Barrick, Viola Olive Crystal Short (1926-2018)

BARRICK, CRYSTAL, ELKIN, SHORT, HODGES, WADE, MCNEAL, SIMPSON, GOURLEY, NORMAN, BOICOURT, BUCHNER, KAYSER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 12/12/2020 at 10:52:02

Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, Iowa, March 19, 2018

Viola Short-Barrick, 91, of Webster City, died Friday, March 16, 2018 at her home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at Foster Funeral and Cremation Center with Pastor Richard Laird officiating. Burial will be in the Cass Cemetery. Visitation will be held on from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at the funeral home.

Viola Olive Crystal was born April 28, 1926 in Blairsburg, the daughter of Everett and Bertha Elkin Crystal. Viola attended Cass #8 (Oak Glen) country school where she was the only student in her class. During this time she attended the Oak Glen Church and Sunday School. Viola graduated from Lincoln High School in Webster City in 1944 and began to work at First State Bank for several years. Viola married Estle Short on October 20, 1946 in Webster City and began farming on a farm located in Wright County north of Stonega. In 1954 they moved to the Mason farm in Independence Township, which they later purchased. Estle preceded her in death on January 1, 1966. Viola and the four children remained on the farm and she worked at the Credit Bureau and Anderson Tax Service. She later moved into Webster City to a house on Fairmeadow Drive. Estle and Viola loved being with their children in church, educational and sports events, 4-H Clubs and FFA. They participated in neighborhood and card clubs. Viola and Estle were active members of the Church of Christ where she was superintendent of the Beginners, Primary and Middle School Sunday School and taught in all three groups. Viola was instrumental in starting a nursery for infants, directed children’s Christmas programs and was active in the Women’s Fellowship in several different capacities. Viola became a member of the Faith United Methodist Church when Grace United and Mulberry Center churches joined together and she served diligently there until her health would not permit.

On July 19, 1997 Viola married Harry Barrick and they moved to a house on Locust Street and enjoyed a wonderful life of blessings and experiences, including attending grandchildren’s school and sports events and marriages. Viola’s family grew to 18 children and spouses, 31 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren. They spent their winters in Texas and traveled all over the U.S. in their motorhome. Viola and Harry moved to an apartment on Locust Street before Harry’s passing on January 16, 2004. Viola loved traveling and visited 23 countries around the world, mostly with the Prestige Club Travel Group of the First State Bank. Viola was a member of New Testament Church of Christ and involved with Women’s Fellowship and with Hospice.

Viola is survived by her children, Dennis (Kathy) Short of Olathe, KS, Dianne (Chris) Hodges of Kansas City, MO, Darle (Linda) Short of Potomac, MD, Duane (Natalie) Short of Ames; step-children, Gene (Susie) Barrick of Florida, Janet (John) Wade of Fort Dodge, Wayne (Libbie) Barrick of Ft. Worth, Texas, Scott (Cindy) Barrick of Humboldt and Bonnie (Stephen) McNeal of Federal Way, Washington; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; 25 step-grandchildren; 37 step-great-grandchildren; siblings, Evelyn (Dean) Simpson of Webster City, Georgianna (Gary) Gourley of Webster City, Elizabeth (Royal) Norman of Cedar Rapids, Mary (Marvin) Boicourt of Bella Vista, Ark, Dorothy (Fred) Buchner of Kansas City, MO, Everett “Bud” (Carol) Crystal of Webster City, William “Bill” (Diane) Crystal of Stratford, Jean (Jon) Kayser of Webster City and many extended family and friends.

Viola was cared for in her final years by outstanding caregivers, several of whom were nursing students. The family plans to establish a scholarship fund in Viola’s name for nursing students.