Junior Russell BARKEMA

BARKEMA, MEINTS, PALS, GABRIELSON, ESK, TROWBRIDGE, DEGROOTE, SCHLUETER, COX, DOUGHERTY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/8/2010 at 11:06:46

Belmond Independent, Iowa
July 13, 2000

Junior (Bud) Barkema, 74, died suddenly on Tuesday, July 4, 2000. He spent the 4th of July with all of his family and they were with him at the time of his death. Funeral services were held Friday, July 7, 2000 at the First Reformed Church in Meservey with Rev. Rodney Meester presiding. Burial was in the Meservey Cemetery with Military Rites given by the William Schmale American Legion Post #171 of Meservey. Music was provided by Janet Pals, organist and Terry Long, soloist. Casketbearers were Dwight Barkema, Dean Barkema, DuWayne Barkema, Darla Gabrielson, David Barkema, Douglas Barkema and Delwin Barkema.

Junior Russell Barkema was born December 26, 1925, in Meservey, Iowa to Hilko and Amanda (Meints) Barkema. He attended schools in Meservey and Klemme. In 1944 he entered the service and served in the 24th Infantry Division of the Army on the island of Mindanao, Philippines during World War II. After the end of the war he served with the Army of the Occupation in Japan. He obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged on Nov. 2, 1946. He married Viola Pals at the First Reformed Church parsonage in Meservey on January 31, 1947. They lived in Meservey. He was employed by the Dorenkamp Construction Company. In 1948, he farmed east of Belmond for two years, south of Meservey for 4 years and then south and west of Meservey, where he farmed until his death. Junior was active in the First Reformed Church in Meservey serving as an elder, deacon and Sunday School teacher. He and his wife, Viola often provided special music for church services. Junior served on the Board of Directors at the Klemme Co-op for 12 years, serving as President for six years. He and Viola celebrated their 50th anniversary in 1997.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Orval, in 1995, and one sister in infancy. Junior is survived by his wife, Viola, 6 sons and a daughter and their spouses: Dwight Barkema of Meservey, Dean and Nancy Barkema of Mason City, David and Jeanne Barkema of Belmond, DuWayne and Dawn Barkema of Cedar Falls, Doug Barkema of Belmond, Darla and Tad Gabrielson of Carroll, and Delwin and Dawn of Belmond; four sisters: Grace Esk of Belmond, Beulah Esk of Belmond, Leola Trowbridge of Griffin, GA, Evelyn Degroote and husband Harlan of Mascoutah, IL; one brother and sister-in-law, Dale and Arlene Barkema of Clear Lake; 15 grandchildren: Terisa Barkema Schlueter and husband Bob, Des Moines; Sue Barkema Cox and husband Chad, Prairie City; Richard Barkema, Clear Lake, Jim Barkema and wife Lisa, Mason City; Laura Barkema, Mason City, Chris Barkema, Ames, Tim Barkema and fiancee Katie Dougherty, Nevada; Jon Barkema, Mason City, Sarah Barkema, Belmond; Ashley and Danielle Barkema, Cedar Falls; TJ and Niki Gabrielson, Carroll; and Brittany and Brenna Barkema, Belmond; and 3 great-grandchildren: Joshua and Megan Cox, Prairie City; and Devon Barkema, Clear Lake.