Barbara J. Sassman, age 78, of Sioux Rapids, Iowa, died on Sunday, January 31, 2016, at the Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held Friday, February 5, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. at the First United Church in Sioux Rapids. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will take place Thursday, February 4, 2016 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.

Barbara Jeane Ensley, the daughter of Carroll and Eva Marie (Walstrom) Ensley, was born in Marathon, Iowa, on January 25, 1938. She lived her youth and received her education in the Sioux Rapids community.

Barb was united in marriage to Gerald Sassman on July 17, 1971, in Storm Lake, Iowa. Barb‘s life was blessed with six children: Cinda, Glenda, James, Robert, Rich, and Mindy. The majority of Barb’s lifetime was spent in the Sioux Rapids and LeMars communities. She lived a very full and rewarding life by serving as an EMT for over 30 years, working as a CNA at nursing home facilities in Storm Lake and Sioux Rapids, working at the canning factory in Storm Lake and above all being a devoted homemaker, wife, mother, grandma, great grandma and friend.

Barb enjoyed crocheting and knitting and several of her favorite pastimes were playing Bingo, fishing with Gerald, watching her favorite game shows and collecting Elvis Presley memorabilia. Her lifelong passion was sharing in the lives of her children and grandchildren.

Barb’s life will always be loved, honored and cherished by her family which include her husband, Gerald of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; children: Cinda Ekstrom of Custer, South Dakota; Glenda (Tom) Struve of Rembrandt, Iowa; Jim (Dennice) Beal of Newell, Iowa; Bob (Mary) Beal of Storm Lake, Iowa; Rich Sassman (special friend, Angie Eaton) of Hot Springs, South Dakota; and Mindy (Doug) Sandlin of Fairfield, Ohio; 15 grandchildren and two very special “adopted” grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; three brothers: Chuck (Jules) Ensley of Marion, Iowa; Rick Ensley of Loling, Texas; and Steve (Val) Ensley of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; three sisters: Darlene Landsness of Poulsbo, Washington; Kaye Hauschen of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; and Raye Thul of Paragould, Arkansas; nieces, nephews, other extended family and many lifelong friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Don Ensley; and one sister, Shirley Willeford.

Blessed be the life and memory of Barbara Jeane (Ensley) Sassman.

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