Ronald Eugene Barrett

A private family memorial service was held Aug. 1 at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids for Ronald E. Barrett, age 79, of Sioux Rapids, and formerly of Spirit Lake, and Indianapolis, Ind., who passed away on Saturday, July 18, 2009, at the St. Luke's Lutheran Home in Spencer.

Interment was at the Memory Gardens Cemetery in Spirit Lake.

Ronald Eugene Barrett, the son of Burt and Bessie (Tow) Barrett, was born in Estherville, on Aug. 4, 1929. He lived his youth in Estherville and Graettinger where he began his education and he later moved to Superior where he was a graduate of the Superior High School. At the age of 17, Ron chose to serve his country in the armed forces, joining the United States Navy on Oct. 6,1948. He served during the Korean Conflict and received his honorable discharge on Sept. 13, 1952.

Ron was united in marriage to Shirley Nissen on Dec. 11,1954, in Lakefield, Minn., and this couple was blessed with four children: Jeffrey, Brenda, Bruce and Brian. Following his marriage, he was employed with Consumer Lumber working in Arnolds Park and Superior. Ron then ventured out on his own and founded the Ron Barrett Landscaping and Sodding business in the Iowa Great Lakes area. Following his landscaping career, he was employed at McQuay Manufacturing in Spirit Lake, before moving to Tucson, Ariz. On Oct. 14, 1967, Ron was joined in marriage to Giacoma (Mina) Grassi Nelson in Mankato, Minn. Ron and Mina moved to Indianapolis, Ind., where Ron was a machinist as a punch press operator and later sought employment as an auto parts delivery man. Following Mina's death on Dec. 6, 2005, Ron returned to Iowa in the spring of 2006, to be closer to his daughter and family.

While residing in the Iowa Great Lakes area, Ron had served on the Arnolds Park Volunteer Fire Department and he was a lifelong member of the American Legion Post in Spirit Lake. Ron had many varied interests that included fishing and gardening, both flower and vegetable gardens. He enjoyed the outdoors and had a passion for hunting, especially deer and pheasant, which lead him to many out of state hunting trips. Ron was an avid sports fan and truly enjoyed following football, baseball, and basketball. Ron's family has always been a meaningful part of his life and he treasured the times he could spend with them making life long memories. He'll be remembered as a friend to many people and he impacted their lives in a significant way.

Ron's memory will be cherished by his family: Jeffrey Barrett of Knoxville, Brenda Barrett-Keune and her husband, Arden, of Sioux Rapids, Bruce Barrett of West Warwick, R.I., and Brian Barrett of Mt. Zion, Ill., his grandchildren: MacKenzie Keune, Ashley Padderatz, Heather and Jeffrey Mendenhall, Brianne Barrett, and Jordan Barrett, his two great-grandchildren: Azlynn and Hayden, his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Matteo and Maria Zerulo of Bari, Italy and Nino and Marilyn Cellamare of Marion, other extended family and his many friends.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Dale Barrett, and a nephew: David Barrett.

Cards may be sent to Brenda Barrett -- Keune at P.O. Box 151, Sioux Rapids, IA, 50585.

The Sliefert Funeral Home in Sioux Rapids is in charge of the arrangements.