Clara Rosalee Barkman

Clara Rosalee Becker Barkman was born on January 7, 1934 at Moundridge, Kansas, to Paul and Minnie Smith Becker.  She peacefully passed away March 17, 2019 at Maplewood Manor, Steinbach, Manitoba, at the age of eighty-five.

She answered God’s call and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite March 19, 1945, by Minister Abe J. Koehn.   Rosalee was faithful and enjoyed living a Christian life.  She spent many years working at the Halstead Hospital and also gave years of service to the mission effort in Mexico.  Rosie had a kind, loving nature and was loved by her family, nephews and nieces.

She was joined in marriage to our father, Albert Barkman on July 13, 1997.  The first two years of their married life were spent at the farm in the Beausejour area.  That was a new adventure for her being a farmer’s wife.  It wasn’t long before they started planning their new house in Whitemouth.  They enjoyed travelling and also spent some time at Sarasota, Florida.  They enjoyed a precious seven years together.  His children became hers also; she loved them and they loved her.  We appreciated the place she filled in our family as Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother.

On October 15, 2004, her dear husband went home to be with his Lord after a short illness.  She missed him greatly but again the children came and filled the need and always took loving care of her.  Another highlight in her life was the weekly widows’ dinner which she really enjoyed and found great companionship there.

Those left to cherish fond memories are – Her children:  Bruce Barkman, Beausejour; Phyllis Barkman; Corene Antle both of Whitemouth; Sandra and Ray Toews, Delisle, Saskatchewan; Murray and Nancy Barkman, Whitemouth; Brian and Wanda Barkman, Georgetown, Texas; Donna and Henry Fehr, Edmonton, Alberta; Alicia Barkman, Winnipeg; 53 grandchildren; and 66 great-grandchildren. 

Her siblings:  sister Stella Becker; brothers Allan and LaJean Becker; Melvin and Ivalee Becker; Dean and Pauline Becker, all of Halstead, Kansas; Jack Klassen, Steinbach; and many relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by two sons; a daughter-in-law; a son-in-law; two grandchildren; one great-grandchild; her parents; two sisters, Irene Giesbrecht and Norma Klassen; two brother-in-laws, Bill Giesbrecht and Milferd Becker.  She is also survived by Dad’s brothers and sisters:  Frank and Irene; Eleanor; Leonard and Nancy; Louis and Kathleen; Jean; Gladys and Roy; Joyce; Peter; and Ethel.

We would like to pay special tribute to the staff for the loving care she received at Maplewood Manor.

A memory service and viewing will be held on Thursday, March 21 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Sobering Funeral Chapel, Beausejour, with open mic from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Funeral service will take place on Friday, March 22 at 10:30 a.m. at Whitemouth Church of God in Christ Mennonite, 60231 PR 406, Whitemouth, MB.

www.soberingfuneralchapel.com

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