Dennis Barkela, 71

Dennis Barkela, 71, celebrated entry into his heavenly home on October 21, 2022, at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home in Rockwell, Iowa where he was a resident for several months.

Visitation will be Monday, October 24, 2022 at First Grace Baptist Church, Sheffield from 5-7pm. A private family interment will take place at a later date.

Dennis was born on October 6, 1951 to John and Clara Barkela. He graduated from Sheffield-Chapin High School in 1970 and it was during this time he met his future wife, Julie Rust. He continued his education for a short time at Iowa State University in Farm Management.

Dennis enlisted into the Army National Guard in 1971, receiving his training at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

He returned home to farm with his father, John, on the family farm. At this time Dennis and Julie were united in marriage on April 7, 1973, at the First Baptist Church in Sheffield. Their ceremony ushered in the epic April blizzard of ’73.

Dennis and Julie started their life together on a farm southeast of Sheffield. Two children were born to this union. He started farming and found nothing more beautiful than a herd of cows grazing in a green pasture. Dennis had many jobs; farmer, Manager of Two Rivers Forklift, Mason City; Superintendent of Ackley Packing Plant, and owning his own forklift repair business, DJ Lift and Service.

Dennis was a life-long member of First Grace Baptist Church in Sheffield. Here he served as an elder, deacon, trustee and Sunday school teacher.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 49 years: Julie, one son: Chad (Deborah) Barkela of Sheffield, Iowa and one daughter: Jenny (Trent) Reicks of Ankeny, Iowa; five grandsons: Brady Barkela, Briley Barkela, Blake Barkela, Tyler Reicks, Owen Reicks; two sisters: Marilyn (Eldon) Grarup of Sheffield, Iowa, and Nancy (Richard) Umsted of Denver, Colorado; sister-in-law: Annette (Justin) Lohrbach; brothers-in-law: Ron (Diane) Rust, Martin Rust. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, John and Clara Barkela.

Counsell Woodley Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Sheffield is caring for Dennis and his family.