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Milvern Irwin Barz

1919 - 2006

Milvern Irwin Barz, 86, Klemme, died March 31, 2006 at Muse Norris Hospice in Mason City. Services were held April 3 at Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme with Rev. Donna Buckman officiating. Burial was at Memorial Park in Mason City.

Milvern was born July 27, 1919 on a farm east of Klemme, the son of Albert and Esther (Hartbeck) Barz. He graduated from Klemme High School in 1936. Milvern married Mary Jane Holm on June 14, 1946 at Garner. They farmed the homestead east of Klemme that Milvern had helped build with his father. Their operation had included raising crops and a wide array of livestock. Milvern loved life on the farm, caring for the animals and working the land. In addition, he was employed as a machinist at Winnebago Industries from 1970-1984. They lived on the farm until moving into Klemme four and one-half years ago. In September 2005 they moved to Prairie View retirement community in Garner.

Milvern received great satisfaction from time with his family and friends. His family will remember his unending patience, especially when it came to time spent with the grandchildren. Milvern and Mary Jane were very active in their church. Milvern served numerous times on the Immanuel Reformed Consistory and served many years as Sunday school superintendent, as Sunday school teacher, and participated in the adult Bible study. Milvern and his wife were actively involved in the operation of Slippery Elm Golf Course for 18 years. While Mary Jane managed the clubhouse, Milvern served as treasurer. He also served on the Ell Township Board of Trustees for many years, including time as treasurer. In earlier years Milvern shared his singing talents through quartets at funerals. He loved to dance, play cards, tour the country side, dine out, and watch sports.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Ethel Josten; and brother Edward.

Survivors include his wife; son David (Jane) of Tripp, SD; daughter LuAnn (Mike) Verdoorn of Clear Lake; grandchildren Bradford (Lisa) Barz of Sauk Rapids, MN, Rebecca Barz of Sioux Falls, Elizabeth (Ryan) Noonan of Sioux Falls, Mary Barz and fiancee' Matt Fosness of Brookings, SD, and William Rucker of Clear Lake.


source: Belmond Independent, 5 Apr 2006

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Klemme - Milvern Irwin Barz, 86, a lifelong Klemme area resident and farmer, died Friday (March 31, 2006) at the Muse Norris Hospice In-patient Unit, Mason City, with his family at his side.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 3, at Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ, Klemme. The Rev. Donna Buckman will be officiating. Burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m. today at the Andrews Funeral Home, 528 E. Main St., Klemme, and continue one hour prior to the services at church Monday. The family suggests memorials to the Immanuel Reformed UCC Church in Klemme or to the donor's choice.

Milvern Barz was born July 27, 1919, on a farm east of Klemme, the son of Albert and Esther (Hartbeck) Barz. He attended and graduated from Klemme High School with the class of 1936.

Milvern was united in marriage to Mary Jane Holm on June 14, 1946, at Garner, Iowa. Their union was blessed with two children, David and LuAnn.

Following their marriage, Milvern and Mary Jane farmed and raised their family on the homestead east of Klemme that Milvern had helped build with his father. Their farming operation had included raising crops and a wide array of livestock. Milvern loved life on the farm, caring for the animals and working the land, in return reaping the fruits of his labors grown from the soil. In addition to farming, Milvern was employed as a machinist at Winnebago Industries from 1970-1984. Milvern and his wife lived on the farm until moving into the town of Klemme four and one-half years ago to the community apartments. In September 2005, they moved to the Prairie View Retirement Community in Garner.

Throughout his entire life, Milvern was a loving, devoted and caring person. He received great satisfaction from times spent with his wife, children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. His warm and inviting personality and great sense of humor made it very easy for him to converse and share in conversation and friendship with those around him. His family will remember his unending patience, especially when it came to time spent with the grandchildren. Milvern cherished any opportunity to spend time with his family and he and Mary Jane were very dedicated grandparents diligently making many trips to South Dakota and Clear Lake to share in the lives of their grandchildren.

Milvern's faith life was very important to him throughout his entire life's journey. Both he and Mary Jane were very active in their church. Milvern served numerous times on the Immanuel Reformed UCC Church Consistory, even as recently as his last term ending in January of this year. He had also fulfilled numerous other church roles including serving many years as Sunday school superintendent, a Sunday school teacher, and participating in the adult Bible study program at the church where he was a very knowledgeable and well-read participant.

Milvern and his wife had been actively involved in the operation of the Slippery Elm Golf Course in Klemme for 18 years. While his wife managed the clubhouse, Milvern served as the club's treasurer. He also served on the Ell Township Board of Trustees for many years, including time spent in the role of treasurer.

Milvern enjoyed the simple things of life. In earlier years, he had shared his singing talents along with his wife providing music in quartets at funeral services. He loved to dance and the couple would often go out on Saturday evening dancing excursions. They enjoyed playing cards, touring the country side, and dining out. Wherever one saw Milvern, undoubtedly his wife and life partner, Mary Jane, would be nearby if not at his side.

Milvern enjoyed watching sports and was especially fond of the Hawkeyes, reveling in this fact with his son, David, an Iowa State graduate and avid Cyclone fan.

Those who knew Milvern will remember his legacy as a gentleman who relished time spent with his family. He was very mild-mannered and even-tempered throughout his entire life. He was very strong in his patience, faith life, a caretaker of the land and his farm animals, and a friend to all. His grandchildren will fondly remember him as a loving grandpa who was their number one fan in life.

Those who will miss his presence in their lives include his wife and companion of nearly 60 years, Mary Jane Barz of Garner; his son, David, and wife, Jane, of Tripp, S.D.; his daughter, LuAnn Verdoorn and husband, Mike, of Clear Lake; grandchildren, Bradford Barz and wife, Lisa, of Sauk Rapids, Minn., Rebecca Barz of Sioux Falls, S.D., Elizabeth Noonan and husband, Ryan, of Sioux Falls, S.D., Mary Barz and fiance, Matt Fosness, of Brookings, S.D., and William Rucker, Clear Lake. Milvern was anxiously awaiting the arrival of his first great-grandchild due any day now.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Esther; sister, Ethel Josten; and a brother, Edward Barz.

Andrews Funeral Homes, Klemme, (641) 587-2510.


source: Mason City Globe Gazette, 2 Apr 2006

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