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Sylvia V. Barr May 06 2008
Sylvia V. Barr, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away May 6, 2008, in Minneapolis, MN, where she had resided near her daughter for the past 8 years. Prior to moving, she had resided in Watertown, SD where she was known, respected and loved by the many relatives, students, parents and colleagues that passed through her life. Sylvia Violet Smith was born June 13, 1910 in Columbus, Nebraska to Riley Henry Smith and Daisy May Simonton. The family moved to a farm near Gary, SD in 1913 and then to Watertown, SD in 1917. Sylvia attended grade school in old Garfield, old Central, Jr. High and old Sr. High graduating in 1928. She then obtained her education teaching certificate and taught in rural schools in Codington County for fourteen years, including Dexter #8 (three years); Foley Dist #7 (one year); Grover Dist #25 (two years); Happy Home Dist #9; North Graceland and Medicine Lake School. Sylvia married Owen Ernest Barr of Grover, SD in 1940. They lived on their farm near Grover where they welcomed their baby girl, Joan, in 1943. Owen died suddenly in 1954. It was at that time Sylvia began summer school at Madison College. While continuing to teach school to support herself and their daughter, she took correspondence courses and off-campus courses from Northern State College in Aberdeen. Sylvia graduated from Northern State Teachers College at Aberdeen in 1963 with honor. Sylvia began teaching in Watertown, SD in 1957, first at old Lincoln. The next year she transferred to Garfield where she taught for 18 years. She retired in 1975, having taught school for a total of 35 years. She was an honorary member of Alpha Delta Phi, a national teacher's sorority, former member of Kappa Delta Phi, a national education sorority, SDEA, NEA and Retired Teachers Association. Faithfully, Sylvia was a member of Grover Evangelical Lutheran Church from 1943 until it closed. While a member of the Grover Church she taught Sunday school and was a member of the church choir and Ladies Aide. Each summer for many years Sylvia traveled extensively, exploring the United States. In later years her travels included countries abroad. She conveyed her love of learning to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with her unwavering support for them in their school and athletic activities. Whenever together, she and her great-grandchildren spent hours playing card and board games, fishing and reading stories. Her unconditional love and unending patience will forever be reflected upon. She loved to visit her daughter’s home in Minneapolis, her granddaughter’s family in Fargo, ND and weekend stays at the family’s lake home in Alexandria, MN. Holidays were especially memorable, baking together and sharing family traditions and recipes. Sylvia remained active throughout her retirement years, never wasting a day. She created and sold hand-embroidered dishtowels, loved reading, journaling and completing crossword puzzles. She was an avid fan of the Timberwolves and Twins athletic teams. Sylvia was outgoing and welcoming to all and made many new, meaningful friendships when she moved to St. Paul. She participated in Red Hat Society, Linda’s Lunches, and weekly games of Pokeno and Bingo. She also acted as the on-site librarian of Westwood Ridge, where she resided and lived independently. Survivors include her daughter, Joan Barr Endres, two granddaughters, Mary Kay Endres (Bob) Hoppe and Jane Elizabeth Endres Meehan. Six great grandchildren: Frankie Jean, Robert Joseph, Michaela Jo, Christine Marie, Michael Lee and Matthew Robert, and great-great granddaughter, Miyona. She was preceded in death by her parents, Riley and Daisy Smith; husband, Owen Ernest Barr; one brother, Marvin Henry; four sisters: Pearl Runge Markegard, Edna Wolsky Johnson, Ruby Binford Howard and Gladys Gillis May.

Sylvia V. Barr
May 06 2008

Sylvia V. Barr, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away May 6, 2008, in Minneapolis, MN, where she had resided near her daughter for the past 8 years. Prior to moving, she had resided in Watertown, SD where she was known, respected and loved by the many relatives, students, parents and colleagues that passed through her life.

Sylvia Violet Smith was born June 13, 1910 in Columbus, Nebraska to Riley Henry Smith and Daisy May Simonton. The family moved to a farm near Gary, SD in 1913 and then to Watertown, SD in 1917. Sylvia attended grade school in old Garfield, old Central, Jr. High and old Sr. High graduating in 1928. She then obtained her education teaching certificate and taught in rural schools in Codington County for fourteen years, including Dexter #8 (three years); Foley Dist #7 (one year); Grover Dist #25 (two years); Happy Home Dist #9; North Graceland and Medicine Lake School.

Sylvia married Owen Ernest Barr of Grover, SD in 1940. They lived on their farm near Grover where they welcomed their baby girl, Joan, in 1943. Owen died suddenly in 1954. It was at that time Sylvia began summer school at Madison College. While continuing to teach school to support herself and their daughter, she took correspondence courses and off-campus courses from Northern State College in Aberdeen. Sylvia graduated from Northern State Teachers College at Aberdeen in 1963 with honor.

Sylvia began teaching in Watertown, SD in 1957, first at old Lincoln. The next year she transferred to Garfield where she taught for 18 years. She retired in 1975, having taught school for a total of 35 years. She was an honorary member of Alpha Delta Phi, a national teacher's sorority, former member of Kappa Delta Phi, a national education sorority, SDEA, NEA and Retired Teachers Association.

Faithfully, Sylvia was a member of Grover Evangelical Lutheran Church from 1943 until it closed. While a member of the Grover Church she taught Sunday school and was a member of the church choir and Ladies Aide.

Each summer for many years Sylvia traveled extensively, exploring the United States. In later years her travels included countries abroad. She conveyed her love of learning to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with her unwavering support for them in their school and athletic activities. Whenever together, she and her great-grandchildren spent hours playing card and board games, fishing and reading stories. Her unconditional love and unending patience will forever be reflected upon. She loved to visit her daughter’s home in Minneapolis, her granddaughter’s family in Fargo, ND and weekend stays at the family’s lake home in Alexandria, MN. Holidays were especially memorable, baking together and sharing family traditions and recipes. Sylvia remained active throughout her retirement years, never wasting a day. She created and sold hand-embroidered dishtowels, loved reading, journaling and completing crossword puzzles. She was an avid fan of the Timberwolves and Twins athletic teams. Sylvia was outgoing and welcoming to all and made many new, meaningful friendships when she moved to St. Paul. She participated in Red Hat Society, Linda’s Lunches, and weekly games of Pokeno and Bingo. She also acted as the on-site librarian of Westwood Ridge, where she resided and lived independently.

Survivors include her daughter, Joan Barr Endres, two granddaughters, Mary Kay Endres (Bob) Hoppe and Jane Elizabeth Endres Meehan. Six great grandchildren: Frankie Jean, Robert Joseph, Michaela Jo, Christine Marie, Michael Lee and Matthew Robert, and great-great granddaughter, Miyona. She was preceded in death by her parents, Riley and Daisy Smith; husband, Owen Ernest Barr; one brother, Marvin Henry; four sisters: Pearl Runge Markegard, Edna Wolsky Johnson, Ruby Binford Howard and Gladys Gillis May.

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