Sharon Kay Barker

Sharon Kay (Gehrke) Barker was born on August 22, 1942, in Amery, Wisconsin, to Emil and Olive (Corneilson) Gehrke. She was baptized, confirmed in 1952, and later married at Faith Lutheran Church in Balsam Lake. Sharon attended school at Unity School in Balsam Lake where she made many lifelong friends who continued to gather annually. In her younger years, she enjoyed fishing, ice skating, swimming and teasing her sisters. Sharon met the “Love of her life,” Carter G. Barker on Armed Forces Day in May, 1964 at Osceola Air Force Station. Sharon and Carter were married on December 12, 1964. To this union were born two sons: Jarrod and Jason. The couple lived in many interesting places due to Carter’s military service including, Rockville, Indiana; Neah Bay, Washington; Antigo, Wisconsin; Wheeler Air Force Base, Hawaii and Great Falls, Montana. After retiring from the US Air Force, they moved to Layton, Utah; and later Minot, North Dakota before settling in Lynd, Minnesota in 2006. While living in Utah, Sharon worked in the finance office for the Civil Service. The greatest joy of Sharon’s life was time spent with her grandchildren. It didn’t matter where Sharon and Carter lived; there was always a garden that produced amazing fruits, vegetables and flowers. Sharon was a great cook and enjoyed family gatherings. She also enjoyed crafting, bowling, shopping and bingo. Sharon enjoyed working with the children at Lynd Elementary School where she was affectionately known as “Grandma Barker.” She also enjoyed feeding the deer that would wander to her back yard from Camden State Park. Sharon died on Saturday, July 2, 2016, at the Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Carter, of Lynd, sons Jarrod G. (and Erin) Barker, of Marshall, MN and Jason T. (and Robyn) of Missoula, MT, grandchildren, Kyle (and Amy) Barker, Carter Barker, Jeremiah Barker and Emelia Barker of Marshall, MN; Tara (and Greg) Tackett of Missoula, MT, Greg Kaasa (and Denise Nelson) of Lolo, MT and great grand children Alexander, Kayla, Piper and Abigail. Also survived by her sisters Margel Ruck, of Webster, WI, Charlene Saxe, Blaire, WI, Doreen Hendrickson, Balsam Lake, WI, Juneal (and Fred) Hammar, of Camarillo, CA, many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Olive and Emil Gehrke, and brother, Robert Gehrke.