Foster Barkema

Foster Donald Barkema, age 94, passed away August 30, 2013. Foster was born September 18, 1918, in Alexander, Iowa to Flora Eden Barkema and Hans Barkema. He attended the Alexander Consolidated School, withdrawing part way through the tenth grade when his help was needed on his family's farm during the economic decline of the 1930s.

Foster was disqualified from service in World War II by a previous foot injury, and he spent the war years working in meat packing plants, in construction, as an apprentice machinist, and as a railroad switchman. He also attended classes at the Hamilton Business School in Mason City, Iowa. In the fall of 1944, Foster began his farming career, renting a farm northeast of Alexander and employing a married couple to live with him and help operate the farm.

During his early years farming, Foster also began dating Evelyn Jean Schulte, who had grown up in Alexander and was teaching high school in Carroll, Iowa. Foster and Evelyn were married on October 16, 1948, and Evelyn joined Foster on the farm. In March, 1951, they moved to a nearby farm that would be their home for nearly 60 years. Foster and Evelyn were active partners in the growing farming operation. They retired in 1983, sold their livestock, and focused their attention on managing and improving their farmland.

Foster was active in the life of his community. He was a life-long member of the First Reformed Church of Alexander, where he served on the Consistory for a number of years. He served on the board of directors of the Franklin Community School when it merged with the Alexander Community School to form today's CAL Community School. And Foster served on the Franklin County Fair Board.

Foster and Evelyn spent the winter months of their retirement years in Mesa, Arizona, and they always looked forward to the arrival of spring and their return to their Iowa farm home. In November, 2006, he and Evelyn moved to an apartment in the Aberdeen Village retirement community in Olathe, Kansas.

Foster was preceded in death by his parents, wife Evelyn, sisters Alice, Florence, and Leona, brothers Carl and George, and daughter Janelle Kay Barkema. Foster is survived by his son Alan, daughter-in-law Judi, and grandchildren Kyle and Karen, all of Lenexa, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any contributions be made to the Aberdeen Village Good Samaritan Fund.