Dale A. Barkema

Dale A. Barkema, 85, of Clear Lake, died Sunday, April 5, 2015, at the VA Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.  Visitation was held on Saturday, April 11, 2015, at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church, 4108 Kildeer Avenue, Kensett, Iowa, followed by graveside services at the Elk Creek Cemetery in Kensett, with Pastor Tom Martin officiating.  Military honors were conducted by the Mason City Veterans 

Association.  

Memorials may be directed to the Dale Barkema memorial fund in care of the family.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.

Dale Allen Barkema was born Aug. 4, 1929, in Meservey, Iowa, the son of Hilko and Amanda (Meints) Barkema.  He attended school in Meservey.  In 1951, Dale enlisted in the U.S. Marines and proudly served during the Korean War until his honorable discharge in 1953.  Dale married Arlene Orpen on March 6, 1957.  Dale enjoyed farming, driving his tractor, being outdoors, tending to his flower garden and feeding the birds.   

Dale is survived by his wife, Arlene Barkema, of Clear Lake; three children, Alan Barkema and wife, Jodi, of Fertile, Iowa, Lynn Barkema and special friend, Wayne Venzke, of Ventura, Iowa, and Brian Barkema and wife, Jane, of Clear Lake; six grandchildren, Jayden Barkema, Renae Kerr and husband, Eric, Grant Ginter and wife, Kim, Andrea Newman and husband, Shad, Adam Greenfield, and Tabitha Weiner and husband, Jesse; 12 great grandchildren; and one sister, Evelyn DeGroot, of St. Louis, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and five siblings.

Major Erickson Funeral Home and Crematory, Mason City, was in charge of arrangements.