Barbara S. Waldron

Barbara Sue Waldron passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 21, 2025, surrounded by her family. She died 4 days before her 79th birthday, but was able to celebrate early with her family and many friends at her home at Edencrest Tuscany in Altoona.

Barbara was born August 25, 1946, in Des Moines, Iowa. She was very active throughout her life and had boundless energy. Barbara’s lifelong passion was bowling. She participated in many leagues over the years. She was also a member of a golf league and loved to travel, going on many bus tours and cruises. Some of her favorite travel destinations were Branson and the Ozarks to visit family and friends, but her passion for travel was broad and she was able to live out her dreams of seeing many beautiful and exotic places around the world. Barbara loved camping and boating, and never missed a grandchild’s activity. She and her beloved partner, Shorty Adair cherished their blended family and she was as steadfast a presence in his children and grandchildren’s lives as he was in hers.

Barbara worked as a paralegal for over 30 years for Davis Brown Law Firm. She was a member of Free Grace United Church and loved her church family. Barbara made friends everywhere she went and enjoyed the many connections she made at Edencrest Tuscany, where she continued to keep things lively by participating in a bags league on her team, the Tuscany Tornadoes and doing her weekly “Kung Fu”. When she had down time, she loved reading and doing puzzles.

Barbara was an avid sports fan, and especially loved watching football. She followed both college and professional teams, cheering on both Iowa State and Iowa. She enjoyed following Caitlin Clark’s career. Barbara was highly competitive and looked forward to her Fantasy Football League every year for 25 years. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, companion, and friend who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Maurice Waldron in 1999; her beloved boyfriend of 20 years, Shorty Adair in January of 2025; her mother, Dorothy Clark; and cousin, John Clark.

Barbara will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Marianne (Brian) Christensen, Karen (Mark) Stoll-Ethofer, Christy (Tommy) Vail, and Kathy Vail; grandchildren, Jordan Christensen, Olivia (Luke) Turczynski, Paige Christensen, Reid Christensen, Tyler (Hailey) Vail, Kelsey (Anuvong) Phaisith, Haley Stoll, Brittany (Santos Giron) Stoll, Grace and Andrew Ethofer, Zoey, Macy, Brody Vail and Owen Tuhn; great-grandchildren, Luna, Levi and Lola Phaisith, Samira and Tres Stoll, Lincoln Giron and Baby Giron on the way. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Tim Vail; sister, Beverly (Bill) Baker, her devoted companion Shorty’s children, Sheila Adair and Shawn (Jenn) Adair; his grandsons, Colby, Cale and Cooper Adair; longtime special friends, Don and Peggy Goldsberry; as well as many extended family and beloved friends.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines. Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 29, 2025, also at Hamilton’s, and will be followed by burial at Glendale Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Free Grace United or to The Mission Cancer Foundation.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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