Richard George Barkema (1931-2005)

BARKEMA, KLAVER, NELSON, JOHNSON, TYLER, FICKES, BENSHOOF, WARE, AEGERTER

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 12/25/2007 at 16:01:30

The Story County Herald, Story City, Story County, Iowa, Wednesday November 2, 2005.

Richard George Barkema, 74 of Murray, formerly of Jewell died Friday, Oct 28, 2005 at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 31 at the Bethesda Lutheran Church with Pastor Mike Werner officiating. Private burial of the cremains will take place in the Evergreen Cemetery also in Jewell.

Richard was born on Oct. 18, 1931 near Jewell to George and Grace (Klaver) Barkema. A 1948 graduate of Jewell Public Schools, Richard was united in marriage to Lorris Joan Nelson on Jan. 21, 1951 at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Jewell. Richard and Lords were blessed with three children, Marcella, Murray, and Marshall.

After farming for 20 years north of Jewell, Richard and Lords moved to New Virginia in 1969 where he continued to farm, raise cattle, and operate a long-distance trucking service. In 1979, they moved to a farm near Murray, Iowa. Richard launched Barkema Insurance and Real Estate, moving their home and office into the town of Murray in 1985 where he continued until his retirement in 1997. Richard enjoyed spending time with his family, had a vision for remodeling real estate properties, and was passionate about camping. He was a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church in Jewell.

Richard is survived by his wife Lorris Barkema of Murray; a daughter, Marcy Johnson (Steve) of Story City; two sons, Murray Barkema of Vienna, Austria and Marshall Barkema (Jolene) of Murray; five grandchildren, Tricia Johnson (John Ramirez) of Chicago, Illinois, Brooke Tyler (Skip) of Creston, Chris Johnson of Des Moines, Devin Fickes of Van Wert, and Zachary Barkema of Murray; two great-grandchildren, Olivia and Rees Tyler of Creston; two sisters, Doris Benshoof of Webster City and Rose Ware of Alvarado, Texas; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Preceding Richard in death were his parents, infant brother, Richard Dean, and sister, Lois Aegerter.

Memorials contributions may be directed to the family.