Barbara Sutton

Barbara Ann Sutton, age 68, of Pella, Iowa, passed away Thursday, August 31, 2023, at her home in Pella surrounded by her family and friends.

Barbara A. (Kling) Sutton was born April 10, 1955, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Rolland and Ruthann (Fuller) Kling. She graduated from Ballard High School in 1973. Barb went on to make a lifetime career as a Registered Nurse by attending Iowa Methodist School of Nursing, Des Moines, Iowa, graduating in 1976. Then received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Graceland College School of Nursing, Lamoni, Iowa in 1996. While attending Iowa Methodist School of Nursing, Barb met her “lifelong soulmate” Stan Sutton. They were married on September 27, 1975, and made their home in Boone both working at Boone County Hospital for decades.

Barb dedicated her nursing career in the operating room arena for twenty-eight years, twenty-four of those years as Director of Surgical Services. Throughout Barb’s career, she obtained multiple certificates to include the National Certification for Professional Achievement in Perioperative Nursing Practice and was President-Elect of the Des Moines Chapter of the Association of Operating Room Nurses. In 2012 Barb was recognized as one of the “100 Great Nurses” by the Iowa Nursing Association.

In 1990, Barb joined the Iowa Army National Guard (IAARNG) in the Army Nurse Corps. From 2005 to 2012, she served as the IAARNG Deputy State Surgeon. In Barb’s military career, she received numerous awards and accommodations which included the Award of Excellence from the Chief Army Nurse Corps and The Meritorious Service Medal. Lieutenant Colonel Sutton masterminded the Medical Readiness of the Mobilization of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, to Afghanistan. This mobilization was the largest IAARNG deployment since World War II. Barb retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2012.

Barb had many interests and talents outside nursing. For many years she was actively involved in Boone’s “Save Our Swimming” (SOS) Project for the town’s new Aquatic Center. She was one of the recipients of the State of Iowa, Iowa Community Betterment Program Governor’s Leadership Award. Barb’s many artistic talents were cooking, crafts, refurbishing furniture, and quilting, which she shared with her family and friends. Barb’s quilts were beautiful and uniquely designed for each person she gifted them to.

Barb loved her family and had a special place in her heart for each of her children and grandchildren. One of Barb’s greatest strengths was being there for those in need and elevating those to do more than they could alone.

Barb is survived by her children and grandchildren: Steve Sutton (Connor and Calista), Katy(Sutton) Lundberg (Sam, Tatum, and Lena), Gregg and Shonelle Sutton (Trevin, Kambrie, Lilyanne, and Myla), father Rolland Kling, sister Joyce (Kling) Stout, and brothers Ray (Kris) Kling, Kenny (Roberta) Kling, sisters-in-law: Cindy (Bruce) Schenck, Emily (Dart) Demery and Chris Sutton; and aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Barb was preceded in death by her husband Stan, mother Ruthann, brother Roger (Lisa), parents-in-law Gerald and Calista, two brothers-in-law: Gery Sutton and Bill Sutton, and nephew Curtis Kling.