Irma Barton, lifelong resident of Waterloo, IA, and long time member of the FBDCA, died of complications of Alzheimer’s Disease on December 13 at the age of 89. Irma attended Iowa State Teacher’s College and Gates Business College, then worked in bookkeeping at John Deere, and during World War II drove a city bus. Following the death of her first husband, leaving her with three daughters to raise, Irma was accepted as the first woman in the mechanical drafting program at the Hawkeye Institute of Technology, following which she worked at Hinson Manufacturing Company in various jobs. She also did volunteer work for various organizations.
Following her retirement she began breeding and showing French bulldogs, which quickly became her “babies.” She produced many fine Frenchies under the de Barkin affix, showing one at Westminster. When asked whether she had any photos, it was always a tossup as to whether she would produce photos of her grandchildren or her dogs.
Irma was one of the founding members of Pet Pals, a therapy dog organization, and enjoyed taking her Frenchies on Pet Pals visits. She was devoted to her Frenchies, and at the Visitation following her death the urns containing the ashes of eight of her favorites were placed in her coffin.
She is survived by a large number of family members, by whom she is greatly missed.
