Eileen Seaman

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Eileen Barry Seaman was born on a farm north of Woodbine, on January 10, 1939, to Dale and Willa (Thomas) Barry. She completed the family, joining the twins Betty and Bonnie. She attended school in Woodbine where she graduated from school in 1957. Eileen went on to attend Iowa Teacher’s College (UNI), where she met Harold “Hal” Seaman. She received a teaching certificate and taught 6th grade in Denison, Iowa. On June 23, 1962, Hal and Eileen were married at the Methodist Church in Denison, Iowa. Hal and Eileen called many states their home, including Florida, Virginia and New Jersey. The couple were blessed with two daughters, Kelly and Lauren. In 1982 they moved back to the family farm north of Woodbine. At this time, Hal was a pilot for TWA. The farm work didn’t stop while Hal was away, so Eileen farmed. She was often found walking beans, driving the combine, hauling in, checking and feeding cows, even pulling calves, with the help of their neighbor and friend, Jeff Messenger. Later, Eileen went on to work at the Harrison County REC, before retiring in 1999.

Eileen was a very active member of the United Methodist Church, serving as the Treasurer for the UMW for many years. Eileen taught Sunday school and had a beautiful alto voice and enjoyed singing in the church choir. Eileen would lead Sunday church services for the residents of Rose Vista nursing home. She headed up the Woodbine UMC Applefest pie making committee, which some years made up to 1100 pies in a month as a church fundraiser. She later passed her pie making talents on to her grandchildren for their 4H activities. After she retired from the REC, she took up quilting and made many beautiful pieces. She was a wonderful cook and seamstress. Whenever asked how she was, Eileen’s response was always “fat n sassy”. Most of all, Eileen loved her family, especially her grandchildren.

Eileen died on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at Azria Health Rose Vista Nursing Home in Woodbine at the age of 86 years, five months and seven days.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and sisters, Bonnie (Wayne) Adams and Betty (Leo) Murphy. She is survived by her daughters, Kelly and her husband Brian Richards of Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, and Lauren and her husband Jason Roden of Logan, Iowa; grandchildren, Elizabeth and her husband Remi Meeker, Audrey Roden, Evan Roden and Adam Roden; and many other relatives and friends.