Eunice passed away Thursday evening, April 20, 2023, at her home in rural Fairmont. Memorials are preferred to St. John’s United Church of Christ in Fairmont. Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.

Eunice Joice (Berg) Barke was born April 11, 1928, to Ubbe and Jennie (Heinken) Berg in Bricelyn, Minn. She graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1945 and never missed a high school reunion. After high school Eunice worked in the office at the Schwen Ice Cream Company for 3 years to earn her tuition to attend Fairview School of Nursing in Minneapolis. She obtained her registered nurse degree in 1951. On Sept. 2, 1951, Eunice was united in marriage to Richard L. Barke at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Earth, Minn. They lived on the family farm, raised four children together and were married for 61 years. Eunice worked in the OB and surgery departments at the Fairmont Community Hospital, retiring in 1998, after 40 years. Rich’s lifelong partner in the farming operation,

Eunice walked beans, herded livestock and meticulously balanced the books. Eunice treasured her family and friends and enjoyed keeping up with everyone’s activities. Her standing invitation was to stop by for a visit and a cup of coffee. Eunice spent many hours gardening, canning and preparing way too much food for holiday meals. In her later years she had fun reminiscing about REA trips with Rich and singing along to the Lawrence Welk Show on Sunday evenings. A member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, Eunice

served with many wonderful women in the Ladies Guild. Her faith was an important part of her daily life. She was an active 4-H leader and a board member of the Martin County Extension. Other favorite activities included walks through the pasture to Charlotte Lake,

bridge games with her ladies club, rummy tournaments with her grandsons, Jack and Nick, and attending the Martin County Fair every day, every year.

Those left to cherish her memory include her four children, Stephanie Barke of Fairmont, Patricia Richards of Blue Earth, John (Jan) Barke of Roseville and Bill (Alicia) Barke of Fairmont; eight grandchildren, Sarah Darula, Becca (Jordan) Moen, William (Elke) Richards, Jenna (Adam) Van Proosdy, Jake (Rachel) Barke, Joe (Alyssa Bauer) Barke, Jack Barke and Nick Barke; seven great-grandchildren, Avery and Mackenzie Darula, Connor and Cora Moen, Aasta and Ingrid Richards and Ceci Van Proosdy; many nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ubbe and Jennie Berg; husband, Richard Barke; son-in-law, Doug Richards; sister, Helen Sabin; and brother, Larry Berg. www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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