June 12, 1938 – September 9, 2025
Barbara Johanns, 87, of Mason City, died Tuesday, September 9, 2025 at the IOOF Home in Mason City.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 am Saturday, September 13, 2025 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 410 N. Broadway St., Manly. Burial will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Manly.
Visitation will be held Friday evening, September 12, from 4 pm until 7 pm with the Rosary being recited at 4pm at Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St NE, Mason City.
Barbara was born June 12, 1938 in Mason City, Iowa. Her parents were Walter and Dorothy (Daly) Koehler of Swaledale, IA. She was welcomed by her brother, Donnie. When she was five the family moved to a farm north of Mason City. She attended Holy Family Catholic School through ninth grade. After moving to another farm further north, she attended Plymouth Consolidated School where she graduated from in 1956.
Barbara went to Mason City Junior College, receiving her AA degree and preprofessional teacher’s degree.
On July 5, 1958 she married Richard Johanns of Plymouth at Holy Family Catholic Church in Mason City. They moved to a farm two miles south of Grafton where they began farming.
Barbara was a first grade teacher in the Grafton School District. After just one year of teaching, Barb resigned to start raising a family but throughout the years would fill in as a substitute teacher. Six children were born to the family: Thomas, Robert, James, Michael, Kathleen, and Joleen.
Barbara was involved with church activities at St. Michael’s in Plymouth, CCD teacher, guild member, and later as a CCD teacher at Sacred Heart in Manly, guild chairman, and lector.
She was happiest when helping with fieldwork, driving the combine, and helping the kids with their 4-H animal projects. She also spent 14 years with DMC in their electronics department prior to its closing.
Barbara was a great follower of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren whenever she could. She was an avid supporter of her family’s sporting events and activities. She was a well-known face in the crowd. She was a friend to many, and was known for her quick wit and gift of helping others. After moving to Mason City, she often joked of serving as the local “Uber” driver for her many friends and family in Mason City.
Those grateful in sharing in her life include her children, Tom (Darcee), Bob (Jill), Kathy (Guy) Venz, and Jodie (Brian) Hansen; daughter in law, Shellie (Brian) Bakker; grandchildren, Gabe, Wade, Shaye, Jordan, Stephen, Robert, Justin, Tyler, Jared, Chase, Mikayla, and Dylan; 10 great grandchildren; and extended relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard; two sons, James and Michael; and brother, Donald Koehler.
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