August 19, 1931 – March 30, 2025
Josephine “Josie” Martina Bainter, 93, of Salem, Iowa, passed away peacefully on the family farm, surrounded by her loved ones. Born on August 19, 1931, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, she was the youngest daughter of Joel Howard and May Albertine Garretson.
Josie shared fond memories of attending Glendale School, a one room schoolhouse, as a child. Later she was a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School, then continued her education at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she graduated in 1952. On September 3, 1953, she married the love of her life, Judge Harlan W. Bainter, in a ceremony at the Garretson family home.
The newlyweds began their journey together in Germany while Harlan served in the United States Air Force, before settling in Iowa City, Iowa, where Harlan completed his legal education. They later moved to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, for nearly a decade before making their home on the family farm near Salem, Iowa, where they built a life filled with love, family, and cherished memories. Josie was a descendant of Joel C. Garretson, an early settler in Iowa, who, in 1837, established what would later come to be recognized as the oldest continuously settled family farm in Iowa.
Josie and Harlan served as stewards of their portion of the family farm throughout their lives, proudly sustaining it for future generations. Their stewardship included planting some 16,000 trees in the early 1990s, with the hope that they would seed a new woodland for future generations. Harlan and Josie’s woodland, affectionately known as Yonder Woods, continues to grow to this day. Josie was an avid gardener, raising and canning vegetables and planting beautiful flowers each year. Her cooking skills drew family to the farm frequently for excellent Sunday lunches.
Josie kindly served others through numerous organizations, including the hospital auxiliary, National T.T.T. Society, and Wednesday Club. She was a board member for the original Christamore House in Mt. Pleasant and a member of the original Harlan Questers group. She also found joy and friendship as a member of Eastern Star.
Josie is survived by her children Stephany (Pete) Carrillo of Iowa City, IA, Seleta (Jeff Thomas) Bainter of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and Bill (Shari) Bainter of Reno, NV; grandchildren Will (Kacey) Carrillo of Winston-Salem, NC, Alex (Shannon) Carrillo of Iowa City, IA, Josie (Tyler Moeller) Thomas of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Nella (Will) Locker of Des Moines, IA, Kara (Jake) Warren of Reno, NV, and Ryan Bainter of Laramie, WY; great-grandchildren Violet, Benjamin, Isabel and Emily Carrillo; Leo, Hugo, and Otto Moeller; Sebastian Locker; and arriving soon, Peter Warren.
Memorial contributions in Josie’s honor may be made to Salem East Cemetery or Salem Fire and Rescue. A service to celebrate her life will be held at a future date. She will be laid to rest in Salem East Cemetery beside her beloved Harlan.
Her legacy of love, generosity, and devotion to family will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.