Benjamin BARKEMA

BARKEMA, PALS, KLINGE, GABRIELSON, HUNTER, ANDELA, PAULSEN, BURK, YOUNG, GUTH, DORENKAMP, SUNTKEN, GEALOW

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 5/18/2008 at 10:52:00

BELMOND - Benjamin Barkema, age 94, of Belmond, passed away Thursday (May 15, 2008) at Wright Medical Center in Clarion. Funeral services for Benjamin Barkema will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 19, at Immanuel Reformed Church east of Belmond. The Pastor David DeKuiper will officiate. Burial will take place in the Immanuel Reformed Church Cemetery. Visitation for Ben Barkema will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today, May 18, at the Dugger Funeral Home, 111 Luick's Lane South in Belmond, and one hour prior to services at the church.

Ben, the son of Dick and Minnie (Pals) Barkema, was born April 16, 1914, on the family farm near Belmond. Ben attended country school. He was united in marriage with Mabel Klinge on Feb. 27, 1946. Ben loved spending his life on the Barkema family Century farm. His passion for life was farming. Long after his time inside the tractor, he was still supervising the field work making sure all of the rows were straight north, south, east and west. He instilled a sound work ethic in his children and grandchildren working sunup to sundown six days a week, while reserving the seventh day for the Lord. God was in Ben's heart. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Reformed Church where he remained an active member. A favorite Sunday afternoon pastime for Ben and Mabel was visiting their brothers and sisters allowing the cousins to have fun and adventures. Ben spent many hours enjoying his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Mabel could often be found enjoying softball and basketball games long after their grandchildren were no longer participating. Ben took great pride in all of his grandchildren's accomplishments. Many miles were logged to and from cattle shows.

Ben is survived by his wife Mabel; children, Nancy (Mick) Gabrielson and Cindy (Pete) Hunter; seven grandchildren, Derek Barkema of Belmond, Holly (Tony) Andela of Belcamp, Md.; Robyn (Ryan) Paulsen of Okoboji, Laura (Phil) Burk of Lincoln, Neb., Abby (Andy) Young of Newton, Sara Hunter of Pella and Ashley Hunter of Ames; six great grandchildren, Brody and Griffin Paulsen, London Young, Emily Andela and Kyle and Drew Burk; siblings, Dick Jr. Arnold, Amelia Guth, Esther Dorenkamp; sister-in-law, Genevieve Barkema and brother-in-law, Herman Suntken. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and spouses; Hauko (Betty) Barkema, Catherine Barkema, Alice Barkema, Eugene Guth, Lambert Barkema, Tena (Ben) Suntken, Martha (Harvey) Gealow, Dick Dorenkamp, Mildred Suntken, and one son, Dean Barkema. Dugger Funeral Home, Belmond.

Mason City Globe Gazette
5/18/2008