Dale A. Barkema

Dale A. Barkema, 85, of Clear Lake, IA, died Sunday, April 5, 2015, at the VA Hospital in Des Moines, IA. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM on Saturday, April 11, 2015, at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church, 4108 Kildeer Avenue, Kensett, IA, followed by graveside services at the Elk Creek Cemetery in Kensett, with Pastor Tom Martin officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Association. Memorials may be directed to the Dale Barkema memorial fund in care of the family. Dale Allen Barkema was born August 4, 1929, in Meservey, IA, the son of Hilko and Amanda (Meints) Barkema. He attended school in Meservey. In 1951, Dale enlisted in the U.S. Marines and proudly served during the Korean War until his honorable discharge in 1953. Dale married Arlene Orpen on March 6, 1957. Dale enjoyed farming, driving his tractor, being outdoors, tending to his flower garden and feeding the birds. Dale is survived by his wife: Arlene Barkema of Clear Lake; 3 children: Alan Barkema and wife Jodi of Fertile, IA, Lynn Barkema and special friend Wayne Venzke of Ventura, IA, and Brian Barkema and wife Jane of Clear Lake; 6 grandchildren: Jayden Barkema, Renae Kerr and husband Eric, Grant Ginter and wife Kim, Andrea Newman and husband Shad, Adam Greenfield, and Tabitha Weiner and husband Jesse; 12 great grandchildren; and 1 sister: Evelyn DeGroot of St. Louis, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents; and 5 siblings.

Memorials may be directed to the Dale Barkema memorial fund in care of the family.

Service:
Visitation will be from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM on Saturday, April 11, 2015, at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church, 4108 Kildeer Avenue, Kensett, IA, followed by graveside services at the Elk Creek Cemetery in Kensett, with Pastor Tom Martin officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Mason City Veterans Association.