Barbara Ellen Befort
July 26, 1940 — February 3, 2024
Barbara Ellen Befort was born July 26th, 1940, to Alice Evelyn (McMichael) and Richard Glendon Morris in her parents' rural Griswold, Iowa home. Barb attended elementary school in Oakland, Iowa and junior and high school in Colorado Springs, Colorado, graduating in 1956.
Barb brought 5 children into the world - Loretta (Lori), Darren, Greg, Steve, and Jennifer. Barb was married to Maurice Befort for 37 years, lived and raised their sons in Avoca, Iowa.
Barb wanted to be active and contribute to her community in every way possible, serving on many committees, groups and organizations. During her youth and teenage years in Colorado Springs, Barb was a member of the Girl Scouts, the Rainbow Girls, and the Junior Civil Air Patrol where she learned to fly. Barb and her dad bought the Chatter Box Café in Avoca in 1968. Barb was the first woman Avoca mayor, president of the American Legion Auxiliary for 2 terms, Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary, member of the American Red Cross, CPR instructor, served on the Board of Pottawattamie County Civil Defense, EMT certified in 1982 and served as an EMT for many years while on the Avoca City Council. Barb graduated from Iowa Western Community College in 2001 with her Associate in Science degree and wanted to pursue a law degree. Having a great sense of business, Barb was known as the "Tax Lady" and owned her H&R Block franchise for 35 years, operating in Harlan, Atlantic, and Avoca.
Barb had many hobbies - sewing, cross stitch and needle point, ceramics, canning, puzzles and reading. Barb loved her cats Sam, Sissy and Misty.
Barb lived her last month of her life at the Hansen House in Harlan, Iowa, moving back to her Avoca home as she was placed on Myrtue Medical Hospice. Barb passed away in her home, surrounded by love and her family. Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Alice Morris, husband Maurice, brother Richard "Dick" Morris, and daughters Lori and Jennifer.
Barb is survived by her three sons Darren (Paula) Becker of Harlan, IA, Greg (Teri) Becker of Avoca, IA, and Steven (Angela) Becker of Johnston, IA; ten grandchildren Derek (Kristen) Becker of Avoca, IA, Drew (Caitlyn) Becker of Avoca, IA, Cory (Mary Frances) Becker of Washington, D.C., Jordan (Nathan) Becker of Omaha, NE, Taylor (Isabella) Becker of Chicago, IL, Ciara Becker and Jacob Becker, Johnston, IA, Christina (Willie) Schaben of Glenwood, IA, Jason (Melissa) Schmitz of Harlan, IA, Stephanie (Austin) Staley of Harlan, IA; nine great grandchildren Bradie Becker of Avoca, IA, Brody Becker of Avoca, IA, Georgie Kirkman Becker of Omaha, NE, Liam, Alica, and Helen Schaben of Glenwood, IA, Kaitlynn and Lawson Schmitz of Harlan, IA, Rosie Staley of Harlan, IA, and 2 great grandchildren on the way.
Barb brought 5 children into the world - Loretta (Lori), Darren, Greg, Steve, and Jennifer. Barb was married to Maurice Befort for 37 years, lived and raised their sons in Avoca, Iowa.
Barb wanted to be active and contribute to her community in every way possible, serving on many committees, groups and organizations. During her youth and teenage years in Colorado Springs, Barb was a member of the Girl Scouts, the Rainbow Girls, and the Junior Civil Air Patrol where she learned to fly. Barb and her dad bought the Chatter Box Café in Avoca in 1968. Barb was the first woman Avoca mayor, president of the American Legion Auxiliary for 2 terms, Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary, member of the American Red Cross, CPR instructor, served on the Board of Pottawattamie County Civil Defense, EMT certified in 1982 and served as an EMT for many years while on the Avoca City Council. Barb graduated from Iowa Western Community College in 2001 with her Associate in Science degree and wanted to pursue a law degree. Having a great sense of business, Barb was known as the "Tax Lady" and owned her H&R Block franchise for 35 years, operating in Harlan, Atlantic, and Avoca.
Barb had many hobbies - sewing, cross stitch and needle point, ceramics, canning, puzzles and reading. Barb loved her cats Sam, Sissy and Misty.
Barb lived her last month of her life at the Hansen House in Harlan, Iowa, moving back to her Avoca home as she was placed on Myrtue Medical Hospice. Barb passed away in her home, surrounded by love and her family. Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Alice Morris, husband Maurice, brother Richard "Dick" Morris, and daughters Lori and Jennifer.
Barb is survived by her three sons Darren (Paula) Becker of Harlan, IA, Greg (Teri) Becker of Avoca, IA, and Steven (Angela) Becker of Johnston, IA; ten grandchildren Derek (Kristen) Becker of Avoca, IA, Drew (Caitlyn) Becker of Avoca, IA, Cory (Mary Frances) Becker of Washington, D.C., Jordan (Nathan) Becker of Omaha, NE, Taylor (Isabella) Becker of Chicago, IL, Ciara Becker and Jacob Becker, Johnston, IA, Christina (Willie) Schaben of Glenwood, IA, Jason (Melissa) Schmitz of Harlan, IA, Stephanie (Austin) Staley of Harlan, IA; nine great grandchildren Bradie Becker of Avoca, IA, Brody Becker of Avoca, IA, Georgie Kirkman Becker of Omaha, NE, Liam, Alica, and Helen Schaben of Glenwood, IA, Kaitlynn and Lawson Schmitz of Harlan, IA, Rosie Staley of Harlan, IA, and 2 great grandchildren on the way.
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