Marie Roberts Barnard

Marie was born in Lime Springs, Iowa, on November 15, 1898. She attended Stout Institute in Minomonie, Wisconsin, for two years. With her teaching credentials, she taught home economics in Lime Springs and Conrad, Montana. To complete her education, she enrolled at Columbia University in New York where she was graduated in 1923 with a home economics degree. In 1923, she joined the Iowa State Extension Service as a clothing specialist, a job she enjoyed immensely. She resigned in 1928 to marry Paul F. Barnard, a 1920 engineering graduate of Iowa State.

Marie and Paul made their home in Ames for all of their married years. Paul was a bridge designer for the state of Iowa, and they raised four children who would also be ISU graduates. They are: Anne Barnard Bice, Thomas Barnard, Benjamin Barnard, and Martha Barnard Rohde.

Marie was a life-long member of the First Church of Christ Scientist in Ames, and served that church in every office. Marie’s talents were many and varied. She was a fantastic seamstress. She could and did make everything for her home, her family, and herself. She loved fabrics and had a keen eye for color. Flowers from her garden graced our home constantly. Her family was fed wonderfully and benefited from her outstanding cooking talents. It would be hard to find anyone who could bake a finer apple pie.

In later years, Marie’s love and enthusiasm for ISU caused her to generously fund two scholarships: the Paul Foster Barnard Engineering Scholarship and the Marie Roberts Barnard Child Development Scholarship. These gifts were possible because she and Paul lived their lives carefully and saved wisely for the future.

Marie, as of this date, is 96 years old and lives in Maple Plain, Minn. near her son Ben and daughter Anne. She has 12 grandchildren (5 of whom are ISU grads) and 15 great-grandchildren. We are proud to claim this remarkable woman as our mother, for she is a heroine in our eyes forever.

Anne Bice, Thomas Barnard, Ben Barnard, and Martha Rohde.

7/1/96