Donald DeVere Barkema was born July 13, 1925 to Hans and Mary Christine Albers Barkema. He died Nov. 9, 1999 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Jewell, IA.
Pvt. Barkema served with the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II.
His Obituary: South Hamilton Record News - Jewell, IA - Nov. 18, 1999
Donald Barkema, age 74, of Jewell, IA died Tuesday, November 9, 1999, at the Hubbard Care Center in Hubbard, IA. Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, November 13, 1999, at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Jewell with Rev. Dale R. Peterson officiating. Burial followed at Evergreen Cemetery in Jewell with military honors by the Jewell American Legion Post. A memorial fund has been established for Bethesda Lutheran Church, Hubbard Care Center, and the Jewell Fire and Rescue Squad.
Donald DeVere Barkema was born July 13, 1925, on the family farm three miles north of Jewell to Hans and Mary Christina (Albers) Barkema. He grew up in Jewell, graduating from Jewell High School. On November 5, 1944, Donald married Ruth Amanda Thoreson at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. Following service in the United States Marine Corps, he and Ruth raised turkeys and farmed the family farm, which was recognized as an Iowa Century Farm in 1977. They enjoyed many winters in Arizona. Donald was a member of Bethesda Lutheran Church, the American Legion, served on the Elevator Board and was a Lyon Township Trustee.
He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Diane and Bill Martin of Raymore, MO, and Vicki and Lyle Smith of Jewell, IA; three grandchildren, Don Smith of Alexandria, VA, Melissa and her husband Kevin Marolt of Adrian, MO, and Jonathan Martin and his wife Kristen of Raymore, MO; a great granddaughter, Taylor Amanda Marolt. His lifelong friend and companion, Marge Kuhlman and family of Sun City West, Az, also survive Donald. He and Ruth loved their family and claimed Jim O’Connor and Larry Hatcher as the sons they never had.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ruth in 1990; his brothers, Stuart in 1992, Merle in 1993; a brother Joseph and sister, Minnie who both died in infancy.
Beckers Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Source: ancestry.com
