Barbara E. Mead, 97, of Montrose, IA, passed away at 1:25 p.m., Sunday, September 5, 2010 at the Ft. Madison Community Hospital in Ft. Madison, IA. She was born on June 12, 1913, the daughter of Charles and Rose Clark Speake. On June 17, 1929, Barbara was united in marriage to Estel (Pete) Mead in Keokuk, IA. He preceded her in death in 1975. Barbara was employed at St. Joseph Hospital in Keokuk until her retirement. She then worked as a private home health aide. She enjoyed listening to music, especially Elvis Presley, and in her younger years cutting a rug on the dance floor. She also loved WWE Raw Wrestling. Barbara was a very caring and loving person. Her family was her life. Her greatest joy was cooking good old homemade treats and watching our eyes light up at how great they tasted because we knew all the love she put into them. She will be greatly missed by all that knew her. She is survived by two sons, Bob Mead of Montrose, IA, Jerry (Hot Dog) Mead and his wife Sue of Montrose, IA, two daughters, Betty Jones of Montrose and Iris Darlene Jones of Keokuk, twenty grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and two great-great-great-grandchildren, one sister, Veva Bragg of LaPlata, MO and several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Rosetta Mead, one son, Everett Mead, two sons-in-law, Donald Jones and Herb Jones, three grandchildren, five brothers and three sisters. Graveside services were held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at the Montrose Cemetery in Montrose, IA.