Funeral services for Russel Barber, 88, of Estherville, were held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, at the Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Esthervlle with Pastor Tom Marth officiating. Interment was at East Side Cemetery with military rites by VFW Post #3388 and American Legion Post #91, both of Estherville. Russel died Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at Avera Holy Family Hospital in Estherville.
Visitation was Monday at the Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville.
Russel Orville Barber, the son of Orville and Theone (Flagel) Barber, was born May 25, 1934, in Arteisian, South Dakota.
He lived in Arteisian, South Dakota, until he and his family moved to Graettinger, Iowa, in 1945. The family then moved Whittemore, Iowa, area where he received his education and graduated from Whittemore High School in 1952. After completing his education Russel served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, rising to the rank of corporal. After his honorable discharge from the military, Russel returned to the area. He then worked at the local grocery store in Whittemore where he met Darlene Denton.
On Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1960, Russel was united in marriage to Darlene Denton at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Swea City, Iowa. The couple moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa and he worked for Cherokee Bottle Company delivering RC Cola. The couple had two children, Diane and Russel Jr. The family moved to Estherville in 1964. Russel drove Semi for All-American Freight Company. The couple had three daughters, Rhonda, Darla and Becky. Russel was then employed for many years at Graves Grain in Huntington, Iowa, and the grain elevator in Dunnell, Minnesota. Later he worked for Walmart for 15 years until his retirement in January of 2015 at the age of 80. In his leisure time he enjoyed fishing. Most important to Russel was spending time with family and friends. Darlene died June 15, 2021.
He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Estherville.
Russel is survived by his children: Diane (Jeff) Hummel of Mason City, Russel Barber, Jr of Rockford, Iowa; Darla (Scott) Goecke of Estherville, Becky Barber of Mason City; five grandsons Jason (Jenn) Hummel, Nathan (Megan) Hummel, Jeremy (Audrey) Hummel, Justin (Roxie Olszanowski) Goecke and Phillip (fiancé Alexcis Hatfield) Goecke and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Marlis Moe and Geneva Hovey; brother-in-law, Roger (Frances) Denton and sister-in-law, Vivian Denton.
Russel is preceded in death by his parents; his wife Darlene; daughter Rhonda and sisters, Verla and Sharon and brother, Norman.
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