Barbara L. Middleton

Barbara L. Middleton, 107, of Sioux City, IA, passed away June 7, 2023 at a local care center, surrounded by loved ones.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, June 16 at 10:00 a.m. at Mater Dei Parish-Church of the Nativity.  Visitation will be Thursday from 4-7:00 p.m. with a rosary at 5, led by The Catholic Daughters of America and The Confraternity of Christian Mothers and a vigil at 6 at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel.  Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery, immediately following Mass.  The service will be live streamed at https://youtube.com/live/CZztTVwOGMY?feature=share  and online condolences may be made to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Barbara was born on August 12, 1915 in Waquoit, Massachusetts in the home of her Bourne grandparents. Barbara was the second oldest of eight children born to Elsie Winslow (Bourne) and James Alfred Tallman, Sr.  Barbara grew up in Middleboro, MA until the age of 13, when her beloved mother passed away.  At that time, her father dispersed the children because he was unable to care for them.  Barbara was raised by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Boston, MA. During that time, Barbara grew in faith, was confirmed, and desired to become a nun.  When that did not happen, Barbara left the convent in the early 1930s and began working in the Boston area. Barbara was a nanny to several families in the Boston area, she worked in a candy factory, and in a shoe factory.  All the while, Barbara searched endlessly to find her seven siblings until they were finally reunited.

During World War II, Barbara worked in the Charlestown Naval Yard just outside of Boston. She was very proud of her work as a “Rosie the Riveter” and that is where she met James Middleton on a blind date. James was Chief Commissary Officer in the US Navy needing to resupply his ship.  Barbara was the person to gather his supplies and arrange for him to pick them up. James asked her for a date and the rest is history.

Barbara Tallman and James Middleton were married on September 5, 1947 in Laconia, NH.  After their marriage, they moved to Plainview, NE; to where James was from.  They lived in various towns and cities in the tri-state area finally settling in Sioux City in the early 1950s.

Barbara held various jobs, most centering on caring for people. She was a nurse’s aide at St. Vincent’s Hospital and St. Monica’s Nursing Home. She sold Avon for many years and loved walking around her neighborhood visiting her neighbors who became lifelong friends. Barbara also worked hand-in-hand with James, who was a baker. She was an excellent cake decorator and helped James with whatever was needed. Barbara and James baked and decorated their children’s wedding cakes!

Barbara’s favorite job by far was being Mom, Grandma (G) and Great-Grandma (GG). She adored her children, then her grandchildren and great-grandchildren made her life complete. Barbara loved them endlessly, and was so incredibly proud of their accomplishments-both great and small. She accepted one and all without judgment or reservation.

Barbara and James were founding members of The Church of the Nativity, of which they were very proud.  Barbara was a member of Catholic Daughters of America, Confraternity of Christian Mothers, and a caregiver for M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers).  She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, bike-riding, gardening and slumber parties with the grandchildren.

Those left to honor her memory include her children: Steven (Eileen) Middleton, Sioux City, IA and Pauline (Michael) Flannery, Sioux City, IA; her grandchildren: Daniel (Annabel) Middleton, Ryan Middleton, Erin Flannery, Kaitlin Flannery (John Mancini), Meghan (Siyakudumisa) Mali, Audrey (Mark) Tinglepaugh; her great-grandchildren: Sean Middleton, Jenna Middleton, Andrew Middleton, Calvin Pithan, James Pithan, Rowan Mancini, Zoliswa Mali, Baby Mali (due any day), Stephen (Emilia) Dagata, Barbara (Adam) Lake, and Stephanie Dagata; her sister-in-law: Patricia Kratochvil and two very special nieces: Sandra Nickerson and Elizabeth Berry.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Elsie and James Tallman. Sr; her husband of over 51 years: James H. Middleton; her son: Bernard Tallman; her great-grandson: Jack Steven Middleton; her seven siblings: Madelyn Worcester, Eugenia Hill, James Tallman, Jr., Dorothy Smart, Ethel June Berry, Elizabeth Mello, and Earl Tallman; and her brother-in-law Robert Kratochvil.

The family would like to acknowledge the staff at Holy Spirit Retirement Home for their loving care in the final years of Barbara’s life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Spirit Foundation/Employees.