Richard L. Barke, 89
Richard L. Barke
Fairmont Richard Louis Barke, age 89, of Fairmont, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday afternoon, Nov.7, 2012, at the Truman Senior Living Center.
Funeral services were held Nov. 12, 2012, at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Fairmont. Burial was in Lakeside Cemetery with full military honors by the Lee C. Prentice American Legion Post 36 and the Martin County V.F.W. Post 1222.
Richard Louis Barke was born on Aug. 18, 1923, in Rutland Township, Martin County, the son of Adolph G. and Sarah C. (Haeckel) Barke. He attended country school in Rutland Township and then the Fairmont High School, graduating in 1941. After his schooling he farmed with his dad. In November of 1945 he was drafted into the Army Air Corp and served as a weather man. He was honorably discharged in November of 1946 and returned to the family farm. On Sept. 2, 1951 he was united in marriage to Eunice Berg at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Earth. They lived on the family farm and raised four children together. Richard grew corn and soybeans and raised cattle, hogs and sheep until his mid 80s. He also enjoyed spending his early mornings in the garden. His farm is a century farm. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren and all of their accomplishments.
Richard was a lifelong member of St. John’s United Church of Christ where he was an usher, elder and served on the church council. He served on the Rutland Township Board for 40 years and was an election judge. He was also on the Martin County Fair Board for 36 years, Rural Electric Board and Martin County Farm Service Board, 4-H leader and served on the 4-H council. He was nominated for the “Outstanding Senior in Martin County.” He was a steady and patient presence in his family’s life, a good man, who loved to read and never turned down a piece of pie and ice cream.
Those that will cherish his memory include his wife, Eunice Barke of Fairmont; four children: Stephanie Barke, of Fairmont, Patricia(Doug) Richards, of Blue Earth, John (Jan) Barke, of Roseville, Bill(Alicia) Barke, of Fairmont; eight grandchildren: Sarah (Mike) Darula, Becca (Jordan) Moen, Dr. William (Elke) Richards, Jenna (Adam)Van Proosdy, Jake and Joe Barke, Jack and Nick Barke; four great- grandchildren: Avery and Mackenzie Darula, Connor Moen and Aasta Jane Richards; one brother: Robert (LaVonne) Barke, of Fairmont; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents: Adolph and Sarah Barke, Richard was also preceded in death by an infant brother: Howard Barke; two sisters: Mary Jane Krueger and Clarice Lintelman.