Obituary for Kenneth Dennis Walter Barker
Kenneth Dennis Walter Barker was born in Tisdale Hospital on March 29, 1940. He was the 5th child of 7 born to Edith and Thomas Barker. He lived his entire life in the McKague area.
Ken is survived by his wife, Barb, his daughter Laurie, son-in-law Joel and granddaughters, Elizabeth and Rebecca, his son Kimm, daughter-in-law Anita, and grandchildren Joshua (Sara) and Halley as well as his sister Garness Lucas.
The Barker homestead was acquired in 1949 by his father Thomas. Ken and Norman established the Barker Brothers Farm when they purchased the Godwin farm in the late 1950’s or early 1960’s. They both farmed and lived on this same land for the next 50 plus years.
In 1967, Ken met Barbara Gray at one of the local community dances. By July 1969, they were married and living in the “chicken coop” while sharing the yard with his mother, Edith and Norman. In 1970, they built their first home just before Laurie Gayle arrived in December 1970. Kimm Thomas completed the family in April 1974.
Over the years, Ken, Norman and Barb, were able to acquire five quarters of land and establish a mixed grain and cattle/hog farm. It was not an easy life on the farm, but Ken loved the country lifestyle. He retired from farming in 2005 due to health issues but continued to live on the farm until November 2019 when he and Barb purchased a home in Tisdale.
Ken loved the simple pleasures in life – family, fishing and food! Family was very important to him. He was especially proud of his children and his four grandchildren. He loved family gatherings and never missed a wedding, funeral or special event. He was proud of being close with each of his siblings and their families and will be affectionately remembered by many family and friends as Uncle Kenny.
Fishing was one of his favorite pastimes. He spent hours at many of the lakes or bridges in the local area and always had a well stocked freezer of fresh fish. Many friends and family would visit just to enjoy a fish fry, join him on a boat or to cast from the waters edge. We are fairly certain that he and Uncle Norman are somewhere “baiting a hook” and sharing a laugh as we speak.
Ken was a kind, caring and welcoming person. He loved to strike up conversations with anyone he met including strangers who happen to sit next to him on a bench or in a waiting room. He was a social person who loved visiting friends and family while sharing a drink or two. These gatherings were always full of storytelling, laughter and teasing. He had a smile that filled the room immediately putting you at ease.
Ken would pride himself on being a good neighbor and loyal member of his community and could be depended on for a helping hand anytime he was asked. Ken also enjoyed the game of curling, both playing and watching and attending his grandkids activities when he could.
Although Ken encountered several years of ill health, he continued to have a positive attitude about life and accomplished everything he wanted during his struggles this past 6 months, perhaps with the exception of catching that last “big-one”..
Ken has now left us in this life, “but….and there is always a but…” as he often would say, you will never leave our hearts and thoughts. Ken, Dad, Grandpa, Uncle Kenny…..you will be missed by so many.
Dad, wherever you find yourself, may the water be calm, fish be biting, wheat be bountiful and the cherry sundaes be a bit larger than you were expecting.
A special Thank you to the Doctors, Nurses and staff at the Tisdale Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital (Saskatoon), Tisdale Ambulance Staff and EMTs, and Tisdale Homecare for their compassion and care provided to Ken over the past several years.
Ken is survived by his wife, Barb, his daughter Laurie, son-in-law Joel and granddaughters, Elizabeth and Rebecca, his son Kimm, daughter-in-law Anita, and grandchildren Joshua (Sara) and Halley as well as his sister Garness Lucas.
The Barker homestead was acquired in 1949 by his father Thomas. Ken and Norman established the Barker Brothers Farm when they purchased the Godwin farm in the late 1950’s or early 1960’s. They both farmed and lived on this same land for the next 50 plus years.
In 1967, Ken met Barbara Gray at one of the local community dances. By July 1969, they were married and living in the “chicken coop” while sharing the yard with his mother, Edith and Norman. In 1970, they built their first home just before Laurie Gayle arrived in December 1970. Kimm Thomas completed the family in April 1974.
Over the years, Ken, Norman and Barb, were able to acquire five quarters of land and establish a mixed grain and cattle/hog farm. It was not an easy life on the farm, but Ken loved the country lifestyle. He retired from farming in 2005 due to health issues but continued to live on the farm until November 2019 when he and Barb purchased a home in Tisdale.
Ken loved the simple pleasures in life – family, fishing and food! Family was very important to him. He was especially proud of his children and his four grandchildren. He loved family gatherings and never missed a wedding, funeral or special event. He was proud of being close with each of his siblings and their families and will be affectionately remembered by many family and friends as Uncle Kenny.
Fishing was one of his favorite pastimes. He spent hours at many of the lakes or bridges in the local area and always had a well stocked freezer of fresh fish. Many friends and family would visit just to enjoy a fish fry, join him on a boat or to cast from the waters edge. We are fairly certain that he and Uncle Norman are somewhere “baiting a hook” and sharing a laugh as we speak.
Ken was a kind, caring and welcoming person. He loved to strike up conversations with anyone he met including strangers who happen to sit next to him on a bench or in a waiting room. He was a social person who loved visiting friends and family while sharing a drink or two. These gatherings were always full of storytelling, laughter and teasing. He had a smile that filled the room immediately putting you at ease.
Ken would pride himself on being a good neighbor and loyal member of his community and could be depended on for a helping hand anytime he was asked. Ken also enjoyed the game of curling, both playing and watching and attending his grandkids activities when he could.
Although Ken encountered several years of ill health, he continued to have a positive attitude about life and accomplished everything he wanted during his struggles this past 6 months, perhaps with the exception of catching that last “big-one”..
Ken has now left us in this life, “but….and there is always a but…” as he often would say, you will never leave our hearts and thoughts. Ken, Dad, Grandpa, Uncle Kenny…..you will be missed by so many.
Dad, wherever you find yourself, may the water be calm, fish be biting, wheat be bountiful and the cherry sundaes be a bit larger than you were expecting.
A special Thank you to the Doctors, Nurses and staff at the Tisdale Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital (Saskatoon), Tisdale Ambulance Staff and EMTs, and Tisdale Homecare for their compassion and care provided to Ken over the past several years.