Barker, Norman William 1920-2023

BARKER, GRONEMEYER, PETERSON

Posted By: Mary Burroughs, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/13/2023 at 18:04:03

From: Le Mars Sentinel, May 10, 2023

Norman William Barker, 102, of Le Mars, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at his home on Saturday, May 6, 2023.

Norman was born Nov. 18, 1920, on a farm southwest of Craig. His parents were W.E. (Ted) and Caroline (Gronemeyer) Barker.

He attended rural schools through the eighth grade and graduated from Le Mars High School in 1939. He attended Western Union College (Westmar) for one year, helped his father farm, and served in the U.S. Army from 1946-1947, including nine months in Japan. He then attended Iowa State University and received a two-year certificate in Farm Operations.

While at Iowa State, he met Ruth Peterson of Sacramento, California, and they were married Oct. 7, 1951, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Craig. To this union, four children were born: Carolyn, Joann, James and Jean.

Norman and Ruth started farming in partnership with his father in 1952 and he was an early promoter of soil conservation practices.

He was a lifetime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Craig, where he served in many capacities and sang in the choir for over 50 years. He served on the Plymouth County board of education for three years during reorganizations, and later the Le Mars Community School board for nine years during which time the new high school was built.

He served on boards of a number of farm organizations and was a 4-H leader for over 10 years. In 1966 he was one of four Iowa farmers selected by Wallaces Farmer magazine as an Iowa Master Farmer. He was also honored to receive the Le Mars Community School District Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2013.

After moving to Le Mars in 1987, he continued to help at the farm, was involved in Rotary Club projects and did volunteer work at the Plymouth County Historical Museum.

He enjoyed being with family, woodworking, fixing things and traveling. He and Ruth were able to visit all 50 states and over 20 foreign countries. They hosted Ingrid, an international exchange student from Brazil, for the school year in 1975-1976 and they were able to visit her family during one of their trips.

Norman took great pleasure in attending his grandchildren’s activities and events. He enjoyed reading and was always learning, which was an example for his family. Although he was a quiet man, he influenced the lives of many inside and outside of his family with his calm and loving manner, integrity, and a strong relationship with God.

Norman’s wife and family were of support and encouragement to him, as he was to them.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ruth of Le Mars: children: Carolyn (Wes) Peterson, International Falls, Minnesota, Joann (Carl) Johnson, Le Mars, James (Mary) Barker, rural Ireton, and Jean (Corby) Fichter, Shenandoah; grandchildren: Eric Peterson, Denver, Colorado, Rachel Schmerge, Portland, Oregon, Katy (Matt) Ridge, Clarinda, Benjamin (Janelle) Johnson, rural Ireton, Greta (Brian) Rouse, Emmetsburg, Timothy (Lisa) Barker, Charleston, South Carolina, Laura (Robert) Grandin, Huxley, David (Gabby) Barker, Des Moines, Adam (Marissa) Fichter, Ames, Austin (Jourdan) Fichter, Gretna, Nebraska, Heidi (Chris) Mandt, Clive; great-grandchildren: Kaylee and Andrew Ridge, Noah Johnson, Meredith and Ethan Rouse, Caleb, Micah and Ruthie Barker, Nathan and Hannah Grandin, Elaina Barker, Corrine and Heaven Fichter, Caroline Fichter; sister, Sharen (John) Gillette, Portland, Oregon; and nieces: Hilary (Nick) Gillette, Santa Cruz, California, Nicole (Don) Bingham, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Karen (Dwight Frankfather) Peterson, Durango, Colorado, and Kristie (Greg) Ingwaldson, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Betty Peterson; niece, Susan Herring; many other relatives, and friends.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 13, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Craig. Burial will follow at St. John’s Cemetery in Craig. Visitation will begin at 3 p.m., with family present at 5 p.m., and prayer service at 7 p.m., Friday, May 12, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Midwest, Ingham Okoboji Bible Camp, Plymouth County Historical Museum, St. John’s Lutheran Church of Craig, or the charity of your choice.

Expressions of sympathy may be expressed to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.