Larry J. Barnes

Larry J. Barnes, 82, of Cresco, IA passed away peacefully on Monday, June 1, 2020, at Regional Health Services of Howard County in Cresco.

Larry Jerome Barnes was born on May 25, 1938, in New Oregon Township in rural Cresco to Mark “Miles” and Elvera Barnes. In high school, Larry was involved in wrestling, football, and FFA. He was also into art and won a Golden Key award. He graduated from Cresco High School in 1956. One of his first jobs was at John Deere in Waterloo from 1956-1957. He also worked at McDowell Motors and Ford Garage and farmed for 3 years. On November 27, 1957, he was united in marriage to Kathleen “Kay” Smith at Holy Cross Church in Schley, IA. They had a double wedding with Larry’s sister Marlene and Dick Cummings on Miles and Elvera’s wedding anniversary.  Larry was very much a farm boy at heart and still was even after he and Kay moved into town. They started Larry’s Trailer Court in Cresco in 1959, and Larry had a body shop in his home garage where he and Kay painted and restored cars.  Larry worked as a brick layer for Cresco Masonry for 15 years. During this time, he helped build Evans Memorial Home, the Cresco hospital, and the Crestwood High School. He worked for Gooder’s Ford in 1965. He also worked at St. Joseph’s church and school for Father Schares as a custodian in the early 1970s.  From 1963-1966, they lived on the Pizinger Farm until they moved into the big house at the Trailer Court, where they lived from 1966-1974. From 1975-2000, Larry worked at Regional Health Services of Howard County in maintenance. In his younger days Larry loved music and dancing with his wife Kay.  Larry was a very social person.  He had the gift of being able to strike up a conversation with anyone.  He loved flowers, especially roses, and planted flower gardens as well as tended to the flowers while working at St. Joseph’s and at the hospital. He also loved attending his children and grandchildren’s school and sporting events.

Larry is survived by his wife Kay Barnes of Cresco, daughter Mary Kay (Joe) Kelly of Chester, son Chris Barnes of Cresco, grandchildren John Patrick (Marie) Kelly of Davenport, IA, Caitlin (Jason) Humienny of Pittsburgh, PA, Flynn Kelly (Annie Larkin) of Davenport, IA, brother Bob (Carolyn) Barnes of Cedar Rapids, IA, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Bill (Pat) Smith of Elma, IA, Pat (Paul) Svestka of Cresco, Joe (Jeanne) Smith of Elma, Jack (Norma) Smith of Schley, Mary Nehl of Hazelton, IA, Jerry Smith of Elma, Gene Hosek of Lime Springs, Charlene (Mike) Ryan of Hazelton, Betty Jean (Mike) Sullivan of Fairbank, IA, Paula Growden of Hazelton, Mel (Kathy) Smith of Harpers Ferry, IA, Steve (Dina) Smith of Ettrick, WI, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stillborn infant son Kelly in 1961, brother Rodney Barnes, sister and brother-in-law Marlene and Dick Cummings, brothers-in-law Bill Nehl and Skip Growden, sisters-in-law Donna Smith and Judy Hosek.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private family service will be held at Notre Dame Church in Cresco on Saturday, June 6, 2020 with Father Jacob Rouse officiating. Burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco. Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be left at Hindtfuneralhomes.com                                                                                       

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.