Marian Agnes Barker
STURGIS - Marian Agnes Butler Barker entered peacefully into the presence of Jesus on Friday, July 31, 2009, at her home in Sturgis. Born Dec. 15, 1914, to Burtis and Agnes (Jameson) Butler near Faith, she was one of six girls and two boys. Marian graduated from Faith High School in 1931. She remained one of two alumni to celebrate her 78th high school reunion.
She attended Spearfish Normal College before beginning her teaching career. Later, in her 50s, she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Black Hills Teachers College, receiving high honors. Mrs. Barker was a devoted and highly respected teacher, having taught the township one-room school near Faith, various rural schools in Meade, Pennington and Lawrence Counties, and later in the Sturgis school system.
Marian married Loyal Barker July 12, 1936, in Faith, and soon after moved to Ohio where their son, Duane Burtis, was born in 1937. In 1939, they relocated to Iowa where her husband, Loyal, operated a plumbing business and lived on the Barker home place near Corning. Twins, Phyllis and Phillip, were born in 1940 and Ronald Loyal was born in 1942. In 1946, the family returned to South Dakota and Marian lived in Sturgis for most of her remaining years. She enjoyed reading and reciting poetry, was an avid reader, and a blue ribbon gardener.
Through her deep love of her Lord Jesus, she became a loving role model for her family, wide circle of friends, and her local church, Church of God of Prophecy. She served for many years as Women's Mission Leader, Sunday school teacher, and church pianist.
She and Loyal brought the message of Christ's love and redemption to many small South Dakota towns, making many friends and helping to establish churches. Marian and Loyal enjoyed many years traveling throughout the U.S., visiting family and escaping the cold SD winters. Until this spring, at 94 years old, she still traveled by air to visit her children in Tennessee, Virginia, and California.
Her love for children made her the epitome of a storybook grandmother and great-grandmother, planning countless family reunions and annual camping trips to Camp Hannah. She enriched the lives of her grandchildren, Scott Barker, Apple Valley, MN, Todd Barker, Falls Church, VA (deceased), Vanessa Wright Suess, Lodi, CA, Stephanie Wright Montgomery, Highland, CA, Brent Wright, Indio, CA, Julie Barker Oaks, Johnson City, TN, Lori Barker Corbett, missionary in Fukuoka, Japan, Amy Barker, Newport News, VA, Melanee Barker and Robin Barker McPherson, Cleveland, TN, and Dusty Barker, Crawford, NE.
Thirteen great-grandchildren eagerly awaited her yearly visits when she would draw, do arts and crafts with them, and cheer at their athletic events, Bryan Barker and Matthew Barker, Evan Suess and Ian Suess, John Montgomery IV, Chloe Montgomery, and Zane Montgomery, Taylor Oaks and Logan Oaks, and Georgia McPherson and Frances McPherson. Marian leaves behind one daughter, Phyllis and husband, Stan, Highland, CA; two sons, Phillip and wife, Betty, Newport News, VA, and Ronald and wife, Pamela, Cleveland, TN; daughter-in-law, Catherine Barker, Apple Valley, MN; many beloved nieces and nephews and their families.
And a host of friends too many to number.
Family members gone on before are her devoted husband of 50 years, Loyal Barker; cherished son, Duane Barker; loving grandson, Todd Barker; her parents, Burtis and Agnes Butler; two brothers, Leonard Butler and Baby Burtis Butler; and three sisters, Marjorie Gabrielson, Dora Walter and Ruth Shroyer.
Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with the family present from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Delbert Bock of Isabel, and Pastor Linda Grenz of Sturgis, officiating. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com