Barbara Block

Barbara Block, age 95 of Ocheyedan, Iowa, died Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

A funeral service will be 10:30 am, Monday, July 27, 2026, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Ocheyedan, Iowa with Pastor Richard Milbrandt, officiating.

Visitation will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Sunday, July 26th at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Ocheyedan.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Ocheyedan Senior Activity Center or Tracy House Museum.

Barbara Lea (Stolte) Block, daughter of Fred and Hilda (Ostermann) was born May 30, 1931 in Ocheyedan. On July 21, 2026 she passed away peacefully at the age of 95 at the Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Barb grew up on farms in Horton Township, Ocheyedan, IA with three younger sisters and attended country schools. She graduated from Ocheyedan High School in 1950. A highlight during her younger years was working at the Walther League Camp at Lake Okoboji.

On April 21, 1951 she married Dale Block. Together they raised 5 children, Connie, Linda, Susan, Pam, and Doug. Not only did she spend her life helping on the farm, she worked at the Ocheyedan Press, and U S Post Office for 25 years.

Volunteering in the community was a big part of her life. She was active in St. Peter Lutheran Church, 4-H, American Legion Auxiliary, Ocheyedan Public Library, Just for Fun club for 60 years, The Tracy House Museum as the historian for many years, and being the “Neighborhood Watch” captain.

Barb’s hobbies included sewing, bowling, cards, watching and feeding the birds, teaching her grandchildren piano, and attending sports activities.

She will always be remembered as G’MA Barb, not only to her grandkids and great grandkids, but to all kids in the community. Every time someone stopped by to see her, she generously shared her famous “G’MA Barb Bars”.

Left to cherish her memories are her children: Connie (Jerry) Schuster, Linda Tangeman, Susan (Lane) Dirks, Pam (Curt) Jacobsma, and Doug (Danette) Block. Grandchildren Jenny (Scott) Cross of West Des, Moines, IA; Jason (Jennifer) Schuster of Nolensville, TN; Karie (Craig) Terhark of Britt, IA; Nick (Laura) Tangeman of Las Vegas, NV; Tracy Dirks of Dallas, TX; Sharon (Matt) Dutcher of Lorten, VA; Brad (Laura) Dirks of Tea, SD; Jamie (Kristi) Jacobsma of Brookings, SD; Mike (Bara) Jacobsma of Erie, CO; Brian (Jena) Jacobsma of Tea, SD; Tina (Brett) Vande Hoef of Spirit Lake, IA; Craig (Grace) Jacobsma of Milford, IA; Kimmi (Chris) Graham of Estherville, IA; Troy (Meggan) Block of Ocheyedan; Kyle (Ashley) Block of Hartley, IA; and Kayla (Kyle) Kruger of Sibley, IA, and 39 great grandchildren. Sister; Mary Ellen and Ed Smidt of Sibley, IA. Sisters-in- law Bonnie Belken of Milford, IA; Alice Jean Bergman of Ogden, UT.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale, her parents, in-laws Leland and Emma Block, sisters and brothers-in-law Bonnie and Roger Wilson and Kathy and Doug Kuhn. Brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Robert and Ardelle Block, Doris and Jon Mitts, Orville Belken, Dan Bergman, Dennis Block, and 2 grandchildren, Robyn Schuster and Leah Jacobsma.