Walter E. Barnes
Wed, 04/10/2024 - 11:46am
admin

Walter E. Barnes, age 71, of Lemmon, SD, passed away on Tuesday afternoon, April 2, 2024 at the West River Regional Medical Center in Hettinger, ND, with his children by his side.
Funeral services for Walt were be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at the New Hope Worship Center in Lemmon, SD. Ramon Barnes and Pastor Rand Bentley officiate with burial to follow in the Greenhill Cemetery in Lemmon. Full military honors will be afforded by the Brattvet-Green American Legion Post #66 of Lemmon.
Visitation was from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 5, 2024 at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD.
Walter Earl Barnes was born on December 16, 1952, in Hettinger, North Dakota, to Guy and Grace Irene (Jensen) Barnes. His twin brother, Wayne, followed shortly after. He grew up north of Lemmon, South Dakota, in the Spring Butte area in Adams Co., North Dakota. He attended rural country school before attending Lemmon High School and graduating with the class of 1970.
With the Vietnam war in full force, and soon being old enough for the draft, Walter enlisted in the United States Army and was soon off to basic training. Following his training he spent time in Germany before being deployed to Camp Holloway near Pleiku, Vietnam. His MOS was a helicopter mechanic, but that also came with the responsibility of manning the gun on the door of the chopper. He spent a year in Vietnam as a door gunner for a Huey helicopter, seeing and being tasked with doing much more than an 18 year old ever should. Walter recalls leaving Vietnam in a 100+ degree day and arriving home in a blizzard. And he arrived home 1 hour before he left, if you factor time changes and the International Date Line.
After his return from Vietnam he worked various jobs in and around Lemmon, including seismography, time in the oil field, as a janitor at the school before joining the 211th Eng Co. full-time earning the rank of Sergeant. He retired in 2003 and began driving semi over the road eventually settling back in Lemmon in 2006. After returning to Lemmon he began working at Northwest Supply and continued until his health forced him to slow down.
He was united in marriage to Deborah Kirkpatrick and three children were born to this union: Nathan who passed away in infancy in 1979, Matthew in 1980 and Courtney in 1986.
Walter was a member of the American Legion and served as commander in the 1990’s. He was honored in 2022 with a Quilt of Valor which recognized his service in Vietnam, and gave him the homecoming welcome he never saw in 1972.
Walter enjoyed playing cards, any card game was acceptable, he also enjoyed bowling and pitching horseshoes, fishing, the Vikings, the Twins and golfing. He was always willing to help anyone who needed it, often sacrificing for the benefit of others. Never expecting anything in return for the help he often gave. His grandchildren were the light of his life and he was fortunate to be able to even see and hold his great-granddaughter in 2023.
Health issues in August of 2022 caused new challenges for Walter. Never one to be sick, he faced his uncertain road with bravery, a sense of humor and high spirits. Multiple tests, procedures, trips for chemotherapy, more tests, and often unpleasant surroundings couldn’t hamper his typical jovial approach to life. He was often asked how he was feeling and a response of “Just Peachy” was his standard reply.
He is survived by his son, Matthew, Lemmon, SD; daughter, Courtney (Dakota) Hulm, Bison, SD; four grandchildren, Sierra (Kaleb) Bucks, Emma Barnes, Lakyn and Lander Hulm; one great-granddaughter, Briar Bucks; three sisters, Delilah Holdahl and Bernita Barnes, Lemmon, SD, Mary Holdahl, Yankton, SD; two brothers, Wayne (Vicki) Barnes and Willard Barnes, Lemmon, SD; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one son in infancy, Nathan Barnes; a brother, Ward D Barnes; a brother, William and sister, Linda in infancy; one nephew, Jim Holdahl; and four brothers-in-law, Adam Derschan, Lonnie Thom, Ron Holdahl and Bob Holdahl.