Dean Lavern Barnes

Dean Lavern Barnes, son of Vern F. and Mabel E. Smith Barnes, was born in Ireton, Iowa, on October 17, 1923. He is with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ after he passed away at his home on March 6, 2006 at the age of 82 years and 140 days. His early education was in rural Iowa, at Amherst Township School No. 8 in Cherokee County. His graduation from Marcus High School in 1941 was followed by service as a Torpedo-man First Class in the United States Navy Submarine Service. He served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II on the submarine, U.S.S. Gabilan. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946. Upon return to civilian life, he attended Iowa State University at Ames, Iowa, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1950. He later was awarded his Masters Degree in Agronomy from Iowa State University in 1965. His career as an agriculture specialist began with his service as the County Extension Director in Chickasaw County from 1950 to 1955. Next, he worked as the County Extension Director for Kossuth County from 1955 to 1964. He enjoyed teaching farmers new methods in crop production. Then in 1965, after receiving his Masters Degree in Agronomy, he served as one of ten Area Crop Production Specialists for I.S.U. in the 10 counties that make up northwest Iowa. He continued in this position until 1980, when, after a thirty-year career, he retired from the Iowa State University Extension Service. He then began his own private crop consulting service from his office in Spencer, Iowa from 1980 to 1990. Dean contributed his expertise in many professional organizations: The American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. He received the I.S.U. Distinguished Service Award, and U.S.D.A. Distinguished Service Award. He was a long time member of the I.S.U. Athletic Booster Club and was an avid Cyclone fan. Dean enjoyed participating with local civic service organizations like the Lion's Club, Rotary and Kiwanis Club. Dean enjoyed attending all sports and was a loyal Cyclone fan. Fishing in Canada was an annual event with his two sons and friends for over 25 years. He had great pleasure in landscaping and growing special roses. Road trips to all 50 states were enjoyed by the whole family. Playing golf was a favorite pastime for many years. On October 4, 1952, Dean married Gladylou "Lu" Rose Mills in the First Baptist Church in Hastings, MN. They made their first home in New Hampton, Iowa, then in succession Algona, Ames, LeMars, finally moving to Spencer in June 1967. Dean was an active member of First Baptist Church in Spencer, Iowa, where he held several offices. Dean was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. Those who will cherish his memory are his devoted wife, Lu, of Spencer, Iowa; two sons: David and his wife, Mary of Pella, Iowa, and Larry, of Spencer, Iowa; one daughter, Ann and her husband, Jess Johannsen, of Claremont, California; his four grandchildren: Kelsey and Rachel Barnes and Lacy and Tyler Johannsen. He is survived by his two sisters: Mary Jo Briggs of Marcus, IA and Shirlee and her husband, David Nelson also of Marcus, IA; one brother, Donald and his wife, Charlotte; and other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church in Spencer, Iowa, Abben Cancer Center or Spencer Hospice.

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