Barry Thomas Saxen 1970-2010

SAXEN BEERS BLAIR

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 2/20/2011 at 18:13:06

Sioux City Journal
6 June 2010

PIERSON, Iowa -- Barry T. Saxen, 39, formerly of Pierson, passed away Wednesday, June 2, 2010, at his home in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at United Methodist Church in Pierson, with the Rev. William Cotten officiating. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery at Pierson. Visitation will be 2 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 5 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., at Johnson-Earnest Funeral Home in Kingsley, Iowa. Visitation will continue Monday morning, one hour prior to Barry's service, at the church.

Barry Thomas Saxen, the son of Bonnie Jean (Beers) and Danny Roger Saxen, was born Dec. 3, 1970, in Cherokee, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at United Methodist Church in Pierson. Barry attended Kingsley-Pierson High School, and was among the class of 1989. During his youth, Barry was a 4-H member and a natural athlete. Even when playing Little League Baseball, Barry was known to throw a very fast and accurate curve-ball. While in high school, he played third base and shortstop on the baseball team and was a wrestler.

Barry was united in marriage to Jodie Kim Blair on June 12, 1993, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sioux City. The couple became the parents of two daughters and a son. Although Barry and Jodie later separated, they remained close in heart and soul. Together, they held their children's best interests as their highest priority.

Barry moved to Sioux Falls in 1998, and took great pride in his employment and craftsmanship as a flooring installer, especially talented in tile and stone settings. He was an avid Kansas City Chiefs and Iowa Hawkeyes fan, enjoyed playing baseball with Mitchell, coaching his two daughters' soccer teams, taking family leisure drives, spending time outdoors, shooting pool and watching NASCAR races. His children recall their Dad's great sense of humor and that he was a good cook, especially his grilled steaks.

Barry was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous. He was always willing to reach out and try help others who were also "fighting the fight." Barry was passionate about his love of reading the Bible. He was a true believer and found great comfort and peace within the Bible readings, especially when facing situations of inner struggle.

Barry will be dearly cherished by his three children, Kristina, Amanda and Mitchell Saxen, and his friend and the mother of his children, Jodie Saxen, all of Sioux City; his parents, Danny and Bonnie Saxen of Pierson; his two brothers, Keith Saxen and his fiancee, Tammy Heath of Sioux Falls, and Gregory Saxen and his wife, Chrystinna and their two daughters of Bismarck, N.D.; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Preceding Barry in death were his grandparents, Wesley and Amanda Beers and Henry and Anna Saxen.

Thoughts, stories and condolences may be directed to the family on the www.mauerjohnsonfh.com website.