Barbara Jean Cuttell

     Barbara Jean Means Cuttell was born May 9, 1942, to Myrtle Mynhier Means and Richard Means in Oklahoma City. She was called Bobbie by family and friends in Oklahoma and known as Barb to everyone else. She attended Harding High School in Oklahoma City and attended the University of Missouri where she studied mathematics. 

     Barbara met the love of her life, Gary Cuttell, while working in banking in Sioux City, Iowa. She loved to tell the story of meeting him at an after-work get together for singles working in banking.  

     Gary and Barb were married March 25, 1967, in Spencer, Iowa and after their second son was born, they moved to Spencer to farm for the next 40 years. Being a farmer’s wife was a new challenge since she grew up in a city. However, she was a great cook and willing to learn. In addition to the farm, Barb worked as a bookkeeper at Witt Sales and fondly remembered peers and client contacts. 

     Barb and Gary raised three sons on the farm and were very involved in the Clay County Fair. For many years, Barb worked the office with Gary, and using early desktop computers, they set up the CCF computer system to manage entries. For those blessed to know firsthand, Barb was a stellar pie maker and earned countless blue ribbons for her pies. Her memories from the fair included her boys being active in 4-H and attending concerts and performances. She enjoyed trips to Las Vegas with Gary and other CFF board members and saw Barry Manilow in concert. Barb loved cars and her favorites were a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air and a 1965 baby blue Ford Mustang.

     Barb’s passion in life was Maltese dogs and a well-respected breeding business, Bartell Maltese. Barb developed a successful AKA line of champion breed Maltese. Breeding, training, and grooming her beloved dogs was a joy. She served on the board of American Maltese Association in various positions. Most recently she was acting AMA Correspondence Secretary. Barb enjoyed traveling to dog shows, AMA functions and ‘specialties’ with her peers, whom she considered a second family. She won top championships with her Maltese dogs, and was renowned and sought for her expertise, teaching, and training.

     Barb loved her sons deeply. When they were in her space sharing, laughing, and talking about childhood memories of boating at Okoboji and snowmobiling with the Clay County Sno Broncs, her smile was almost too big for her petite five-foot frame. 

     She and Gary spent time with her sister and brother-in-law, Jim Moon, in their respective RV’s exploring the United States. They also sailed the Caribbean with friends and family. She said her favorite trip was to the Caribbean with their sons in 1987. 

     Barb will be missed by her family and friends. She is with her Heavenly Father and those who preceded her in death, Gary, her husband of 44 years, son, Scott, and parents. She is survived by her sons, Brent, and wife, Christie, their children Abby, Myles and Camden and two great grandchildren, Scarlett and Reign; her son, Greg and wife, Terri, and their three children, Tatum, Scott and Briar; her sister, Sally and brother-in-law, Jim Moon and many beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and her friends.