Peter John Barke's Obituary
Lake Mills, IA (formerly of Racine) - Peter J. Barke, 74, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at his home.
Peter John Barke was born on October 10, 1950, in Racine, WI, to parents John and Dolores (nee Peterson) Barke. He grew up in Racine and graduated High School in 1968. Pete was a talented wrestler in high school. Being a member of the Boy Scouts at a very young age also sparked his passion and love for the outdoors. Later in life, Pete would earn degrees from Buena Vista University with a degree in Management Science and Waldorf College in Forest City with a degree in Liberal Arts focusing on Math and Science.
Pete was united in marriage to Sandra Otto on May 6, 1972, at St. Augustine Church in Milwaukee, WI. To this union, two children were born: Sarah and Michael.
Pete would move for his job a couple different times throughout his career. He started working in Racine, WI, and was later transferred to Cookeville, TN for a couple years before coming to Lake Mills, IA in 1981. Pete would continue to work for Fleetguard (later Cummins), nearly 45 years, until his retirement in 2015. He worked the majority of those years as a Test Lab Supervisor and a Product Engineer. Pete’s personality was a perfect fit for the job. Pete was detail-oriented, very organized, and took pride in doing the research and becoming educated on anything he was tasked with.
In his free time, Pete enjoyed being outdoors as much as he could. Ice fishing, turkey hunting, camping, gardening, golfing, boating, cycling, hiking, and traveling are all hobbies Pete enjoyed. When he was inside, Pete was most likely cheering on the teams from his home state: The Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, or Wisconsin Badgers! Pete was a loving husband and father, was very generous with his time and advice, and cherished all the moments his family was together.
He is preceded in death by both parents, John and Dolores Barke; father and mother in-law, Edward and Alice Otto; brothers, Thomas and Daniel Barke; and a brother in-law, Roger Otto.
Pete leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Sandy Barke of Lake Mills, IA; children, Sarah Barke of Cedar Rapids, IA and Michael Barke (Dawn Hansel) of New Hampton, IA; siblings, Bill (Terri) Barke of Torrance, CA, Nancy (Bruce) Harwood of Burlington, WI, and Sally (Marty) Klatkiewicz of Wichita, KS; as well as several loving nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.
A celebration of Peter’s life will be held at Wilson Funeral Home on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 12:00 PM. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Friday from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Interment with committal services will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org), to your local Boy Scout Troop, or to the donor’s choice.
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