Elisabeth "Bobis" Barker

ELISABETH JUNE 'BOBIS' BARKER was one of fraternal twins born on January 29, 1922 to Tracy and Helen (Glotfelter) Hicks in Tracy, Minnesota. Bobis, as she was known, moved with her family to Pipestone, Minnesota where she was raised and attended Pipestone schools. After her high school graduation in 1940, Bobis attended a girls’ college, McMurray, in Jacksonville, Illinois where she graduated with a degree in Home Economics. She then taught home ec for one year in Olivia, Minnesota and one year in Edgerton, Minnesota. She was an excellent seamstress in her day and liked offering tips for food preparation and cooking. In the late 1940s, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota she where taught square dancing classes while also taking classes at the University of Minnesota.

In 1950, she moved to New York City and began working as a reservationist for Northwest Airlines, later becoming a reservations supervisor. She enjoyed the many young people she trained in the field (whom she called her “kids”). She traveled to many parts of the world while working for Northwest (now Delta) Airlines, retiring after 40 years of employment. In 1963, Bobis was married to Alden Barker in New Jersey, the marriage ended in divorce four years later. Bobis had many interesting experiences in her position as a reservationist and loved to share her stories about sometimes helping famous people, including Hubert H. Humphrey with his travels. While living in New York City, Bobis enjoyed hostessing for her bachelor uncle, “Bud” Otho Hicks, for his professional gatherings for the United Seamen’s Service. Bobis was an avid bowler in her New York City days and enjoyed square dancing at various times of her life.

After retirement, Bobis returned to her hometown of Pipestone, Minnesota in 1997, living part of that time in the old family home. While in Pipestone, Bobis attended Faith Community Church. During her retirement years, she was a member of the Garden Club, the very same club her mother had been a member many years earlier. She also was a member of a Senior Scooter Club which she enjoyed very much, especially when they drove them during the Watertower Festival parade! In 2005, she entered Falls Landing Assisted Living in Pipestone; and in 2009, she was transferred to the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone.

She died there on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at the age of 94 years, one month and 24 days. Bobis had a real zest for life and was noted for her carefree, outgoing and friendly personality. She had a great sense of humor, always seeing the bright side of life. She enjoyed everyone she met and had many friends.

She is lovingly remembered by her brother, Steve Hicks and his wife Mary Lou of Pipestone, Minnesota; 12 nieces and nephews; and grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Tracy and Helen; her twin sister, Mary; her brother, George; her nephew, Perry Hicks; her brother-in-law, Don Morton; and her sister-in-law, Donna Hicks.