Sandra Jean Barten

Sandra “Sandy” Jean Barten, of Miles, IA, passed away Wednesday, January 25, at her home. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 11, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Preston, IA. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

Sandy was born December 1, 1947, daughter of Darlene (Wilson) Hartman. She was the oldest of six children, and grew up in Sabula, IA. She attended Sabula High School, and spent summers while in high school boating up and down the Mississippi. In high school Sandy met the love of her life, Lloyd Barten. The couple hit it off right away, and married on December 22, 1965. Together, Sandy and Lloyd raised four boys and celebrated 57 years of marriage.

Sandy always had the warmth of a mother and a caretaker. Taking care of family and loved ones was her most cherished duty. From an early age she helped take care of her younger siblings. Sandy raised four boys, who knew how to push the limits, and she loved and cared for them all the same. In 1969 her husband Lloyd got into a car accident that would change their lives forever. Sandy was the reason he recovered. They shared a deep love through their 57 short years of marriage. Sandy and Lloyd cared for each other.

Sandy taught her boys the meaning of a hard days work. Besides taking care of the home and raising her four boys, Sandy worked throughout her life. She worked for Metform for over 20 years, retiring in 2015. Before Metform, Sandy worked at Products Unlimited and Elco. When she wasn’t working Sandy loved spending time with her dogs or tending to her flowers. The Bartens had the best manicured lawn in town. Sandy also loved to feed birds and chipmunks that would happen by her back door.

Sandy will be dearly missed by her husband, Lloyd Barten, Sr of Miles; four sons, James Barten of Savanna, IL, Lloyd Barten Jr. of Clinton, IA, Bob (Jammie) Barten of Savanna, and Jeff (Sarah) Barten of Clinton; 13 grandchildren, Sonja, Jessica, Jackie, Leann, Heidi, Travis, Vaughn, Dante, Nicholas, Taya, Aiden, Shalynn, and Jason Goebel; 17 great-grandchildren and one on the way; siblings, Cindy, Joe, and Jayne; an aunt who was like a sister, Diane Stuhldryer; a nephew who was like a son, James Bousselot; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog, Skipper.

Sandra is preceded in death by her mother; daughter-in-law, Katrina; siblings, Joy and Zeblun Jr.; and her dog, Tobey.