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Obituary
Arleta Mae Barkmeyer, 90, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and
friend, was united with her Lord and Savior on May 30, 2018. She was
born in Stayton, Oregon to Ira and Alma (Nendel) Kirsch on December 10, 1927.
She was known as “Auntie Sis” and “Skeeter” to her family and friends
and was the second oldest child of six children. She grew up in the
family owned Crabtree Lumber Company lumber camp on the Little North
Fork of the Santiam River. When her family sold the lumber company, they
moved to a farm in Mehama where she attended a two-room school. She had
many interesting stories of growing up during the Depression. When WWII
broke out, she became a proud volunteer for the US government. At age 16
she walked from Mehama to Lyons to work her shifts in a spotting tower
searching for enemy aircraft.
On September 15th, 1948 she married Henry “Bud” Barkmeyer. They bought a
289-acre farm in the Scio-Jordan area where they raised their children,
cattle and grass seed. The farm was a family affair, everyone doing
their part. Arleta worked in the fields and on the farm whenever needed.
Bud and Arleta were married 55 years, until his death in 2003.
At about age 45, Arleta started playing Community Softball in Stayton.
Not only did she love softball, she was very good at it. Arleta was an
extremely resourceful woman, and what she didn’t know, she taught
herself. She was able to change tires, oil, and fix small and large
appliances. Arleta loved gardening, embroidery, painting, hunting,
fishing, her chickens and canary, and she made the best pies in the
State of Oregon! It was some time after the youngest child started
school, Arleta went to work at the Rutherfords and Western Auto in
Stayton and retired from Ace Hardware in Mehama.
She is survived by her seven children: LaDonna (James) Pollard, Rosina
Pietrok, Lorena (Larry) Lindemann, John (Sherry) Barkmeyer, Debra
(Scott) Humphreys, Patricia (Clay) Barkmeyer-Thompson, and Mary Ann
Stadeli. Preceding Arleta in death was her husband Bud, granddaughter
Jody Barkmeyer, grandson Gary Pietrok, her parents Ira and Alma Kirsch,
Peter and Pauline Barkmeyer, and her beloved older brother Lawrence
Kirsch who was killed in action in WWII. She missed, honored and mourned
him every day of her life. She leaves behind 17 grandchildren, 30
great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. She adored her
family above all else and will be greatly missed.
Viewing was at North Santiam Funeral Service on Monday, June 4th, 6-8
PM. Rosary was on Tuesday evening, June 5th, 7 PM and Mass of Christian
Burial was Wednesday, June 6th, 12 noon, both at Immaculate Conception
Church in Stayton, where she was a member, with a reception following in
the Church Parish Hall. Serving the family, North Santiam Funeral
Service, Stayton, Oregon.
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