Rupert Barnes age 83 of Belview passed away Tuesday June 4, 2013 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 11 at Grace Lutheran Church in Belview.
Visitation is 5:00-8:00 p.m. Monday at the Redwood Valley Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. Burial is in Grace Lutheran Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Rupert F. Barnes was born September 2, 1929 in Rowena, MN to Burlyn and Leona (Hauptli) Barnes. He graduated from Redwood Falls High School. Rupert enlisted in the US Air Force in November 1948 and served as a weatherman. He was honorably discharged in September 1952. On July 6, 1951 he was united in marriage to Frances Rose Sullivan in Urbana, IL. They moved to Alamogordo, NM – White Sands Proving Grounds while Rupert was in the service. The couple lived in various locations before settling in Minnesota. Rupert worked as a police officer and was chief of police for a number of years. He worked various jobs after leaving the police force. Rupert was very active in the community, helping with many events. He was a member of the Redwood Falls and Belview American Legions. Rupert always enjoyed camping and loved roasting hogs for a variety of events throughout the years. He indulged his wife by dressing up every Halloween. Rupert loved his family, and especially enjoyed his grandkids and great grandkids.
Rupert is survived by his children Pam (Tom) Breitkreutz of Belview, Kim (Marlo) Sander of Belview, Darrel (Rose) Barnes of Orlando, FL, and Ronda Barnes of Anoka; grandchildren: Sunni (Anthony) Hemingsen, Sommer (Eric) Day, Aaron Sander, Jamie Sander, Travis (Jamie) Breitkreutz Josh Breitkreutz, Ashley and Dylan Thiel, Kwang (and husband) Suksumek, and Nicky and Ty Barnes; great grandchildren: Henry & Greta Hemingsen, Claire & Cooper Breitkreutz, Spencer & Bailey Day, Colton Thiel, Jadon Sander, and Tonatcha Suksumek. He is also survived by his siblings: Marilyn Guardia of Pascagoula, MS, Elaine Watson of Houston, PA, Audrey Tracy of Burnsville, NC, Dewan Barnes of Barnesville, Dallas (Donna) Barnes of Burnsville, Bette Barnes of Redwood Falls, Richard (Muriel) Barnes of Rosemount, Myrl (Jeannine) Barnes of St. Peter, Burlyn (Karen) Barnes of Redwood Falls, and Sharon (Bernie) Kretsch of Redwood Falls; sisters-in-law Mary Jo Barnes of Panama City, FL and Pat Barnes of Franklin. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Frannie, great grandson Gabriel Clemens, sister Virginia, brothers Duane, Dean, and Jim, and siblings in infancy Darrel and Sandra.