Idalia Ibarra

Idalia Y. Ibarra, 87, of Clear Lake, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015, at her son’s home, in Mason City, Iowa.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. John Gossman officiating.  Family will greet friends one hour before the service.

Idalia was born July 18, 1928, in Allende Coahuila, Mexico. Ida was the eldest daughter of Manuel and Concha (Hernandez) Sanchez.

She attended elementary school, junior high and teacher college in the capital of Coahuila State (Saltillo). She was hired in the Federal school community on Sept. 18.   She taught school in three different communities in 1954.

She married Gilbert Ibarra and to this union four children were born, Melva, Hector, Alberto and Jerry.

  At the age of 27, she started a new adventure when she came to Clear Lake with her family, where she spoke little to no English.

She worked for Sam Kennedy and his two sons at the Kennedy Vegetable farm, from 1956 – 1970.

She then worked for Mode-A-Day from 1970 until it relocated in 1985.  In 1988 she went to work for Amicare Health Care and later Mercy Home Health Care, where she was a continuous live-in for 17 years as a care giver, retiring in 2006.  Enjoying her life with people who needed love, companionship and understanding.  She received the Service of Excellence Award in 1992, while working for Amicare. The award was presented to her in Livonia, Mich.

She was an incredibly hard worker who touched the lives of many people in a variety of ways. She had such a wonderful energetic presence and a beautiful soul.

Her only wish upon her passing was that her loved ones would only cry for a short time and then celebrate the life that she loved so much.

Those grateful in sharing in her life are her sons, Hector (Vicki) Ibarra, Iowa City, Iowa, Jerry Ibarra (Brenda Gwin), Mason City, Alberto (Lucia) Ibarra, Eagle Pass, Tex.; six grandchildren, Bret (Levely) Ibarra, Derek Ibarra, Ryan (Sheena) Gwin, Alannah Ibarra (Joshua English), Tanner Ibarra and Jasmine Ibarra (Jimmy Collins); two great-grandchildren, Ellie Burkhardt and Karter English; and one sister.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her daughter, Melva N. Ibarra; and her brother, Oscar Sanchez. 

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.