Barb Jackson

No services will be held for Barb Jackson, 87, of Clarinda, Iowa, formerly of Bedford, Iowa. Barb’s request for memorials is that you individually reach out to organizations that you are aware of that help people and support those doing good work. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.cummingsfamilyfuneralhome.com

Barbara Jean Allen Jackson was born May 27, 1941, on a farm in Polk Township, Taylor County Iowa. She was the 2 nd of three daughters born to James (Jim) and Marie (Spencer) Allen. The family moved to the Allen Farm which was located about 1 mile south and east of Bedford. Although the sisters often helped with the household chores, Barb was most interested in helping her father do ‘outside’ chores!

Barb graduated from Beford High School in 1957 and from Northwest Missouri State College in 1961, in Maryville MO. (And yes, it was a college before it became a university in 1972.) During her college days she met a handsome young man, Ernest Doyle Jackson from the ‘Standberry Area’, they married and moved to Columbia, MO where Doyle completed his master’s program.

Barb and Doyle entered the Peace Corps and served in the Philippines for several years, making friends, teaching school and striving to make the world a better place. Barb had a strong desire to ‘teach people the things they need to know’ and was willing to help people improve their own lives and skills. After moving to Clarinda, Barb was known for teaching English to many of the wives of the staff at NSK and ASK.

Barb was a master gardener and planted and cared for many of the trees at the current Taylor County Fairgrounds. She rode RAGBRAI for several years, chewed NICORETTE gum long after she quit smoking and was an avid reader and crossword puzzler. Barb played cards from the time she was at home all through her life – and she did not like to lose! She HATED smart phones.

Barb was a rural postal carrier for many years serving the Bedford Area. Without proof, we believe that Barb was one of the first female rural letter carriers in Iowa. This sounds like Barb!!

After retirement, she and Doyle scoured the world- checking out Western Europe, Turkey, and Central America. Eventually they settled on Monteverde, Costa Rica as the place to call their winter home. They traveled there for many years, staying at the Santa Elana Pension; greeting and assisting travelers from all over the world and making lifelong friends with many.

Barb was proceeded in death by her husband Doyle, her parents Jim and Marie, two sisters Delores and Mary Lou and two nieces Rhonda Spencer and Julie Cox. Left to cherish her memory are nieces Shani Hixson, Colleen Spencer and Bonny Jennings, and an amazing array of friends throughout the world.

Ran, the proprietor of the Pension, summarized the couple the best: These two odd folks from Iowa made an indelible impact on a tiny town of misfits in Monteverde, Costa Rica. Their presence, generosity, grit, laughter, hugs, and counsel are still felt today.

Love, Grace, Charity and Acceptance were at the core of all their actions. It is a rare thing for this little cloud forest town to so quickly welcome outsiders. But they made it easy. Barb and Doyle are forever a part of this community.

And so many people in both Bedford and Clarinda feel the same.

Barb’s request for memorials is that you individually reach out to organizations that you are aware of that help people and support those doing good work. RIP Barbara.