Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
A memorial service for Barbara Jane Struve was held Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2022, at the Hartley Funeral Home Chapel in Hartley. Pastor Lynn Dau officiated. Hartley Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.
Barbara Jane Struve came into the world in DeFuniak Springs, Fla. on Nov. 9, 1950, one of four children born to Roy L. and Emma Jean (Rideout) Stewart. She spent her youth in Tampa, Fla., attending Robinson High School.
“Jane” became the bride of Eugene (Gene) Carl “Skip” Struve on Dec. 31, 1968, in Las Vegas, Nev. The new couple called Nevada home for almost six years before relocating to Primghar, where Gene was employed with Eaton Corporation. They raised their two sons, Gene and Chris, in the community and became members of Grace Lutheran Church in Primghar.
Jane loved being a stay-at-home mom, taking care of the household and her growing family. She enjoyed being involved with the kids’ activities, to include volunteering as Cub Scout leader during their early years.
Once the boys had graduated from high school, Jane began working at Sathers Candy Company at Round Lake, Minn. She then found employment in Spencer with SPM Corporation making head gaskets for race cars. After retiring from the workforce, Jane and Gene were able to travel around the country in their RV, seeing new sights, wintering near Port Aransas, Texas and reconnecting with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jane also had more time to devote to craft projects and crocheting, something she had always enjoyed.
Jane passed from this life at her home near Primghar on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. She was 71 years of age. Having gone before her were her parents, Roy and “Jean” Stewart; and sister, Betty Gaffney.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Gene, of Primghar; her sons: Chris (Chavon) Struve, of Deltona, Fla.; and Gene (Nikki) Struve, of Chalmette, La.; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Roy Stewart, Jr., of Missoula, Mont.; sister, Jenny Miller, of Red Bank, Tenn.; many relatives and numerous friends.