Groton - Memorial services for Barbara Allen Wegner, 88, of Groton, will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, at the United Methodist Church, Groton. Rev. Grant Piehl will officiate. Burial will follow in Groton Union Cemetery under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton. Visitation will be held at the funeral chapel on Tuesday from 3 to 8 p.m. She passed away Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls. Barbara Allen was born on Sept. 7, 1916, to Walter and Jeannette (Timberlake) Allen in Aberdeen, S.D. Barbara attended Aberdeen Central High School. During this time she excelled as a pianist and won many piano contests in the area. Following graduation, Barbara attended the University of Minnesota. She also became the first woman in Brown County to obtain a pilot's license. On Jan. 18, 1941, Barbara was united in marriage with Robert S. Wegner of Groton, which is where the couple made their home for 63 years. During that time, Barbara continued to use her musical talents by giving piano lessons in her home, acting as the Methodist Church organist, playing for weddings and funerals and accompanying many students for their musical contest pieces. Barbara obtained her teaching degree followed by her Master's degree from Northern State College in Aberdeen. She then began teaching English and Spanish at Groton High School. She retired from teaching in 1985 after 17 years with the Groton school system. Barbara was a member of Gamma Phi Beta, the Eastern Star, and the Groton ABC Bridge Card Club. She is survived by her son, George (Carol) Wegner of Medina, Minn., daughter, Jeanne (Rob) Wanous of Groton, son, Robert W. (Jeannette) Wegner of Bella Vista, Ariz., one brother, William (Jane) Allen of Houghton, N.Y., one sister, Harriett (Wendall) Andrews of Pierre, S.D., eight grandchildren; Stephanie Wegner, Barbara Wegner, Robert Wegner, Eric Wegner, Anthony Wegner, Robin Williamson, Amber Stumpf and Matthew Wegner, and six great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents, one sister, Joan (Allen) Dunn, her husband, one son, Larry Wegner, and one granddaughter, Mary Ann Wegner.
Published in the Aberdeen News on 2/8/2005.