Lynn Barnhart 11/05/2025

Lynn H. Barnhart passed away on Wednesday, November 5th at Westfields Hospital in New Richmond, surrounded with love from his family.

Lynn was born on September 11th, 1940, in La Porte, Indiana to Robert Howard and Dolores / Kitty (Luther) Barnhart.

When Lynn was 11, the family moved to Chetek, WI, where Lynn graduated from High School in 1959.

On October 13th, 1962, Lynn married Minerva / Nerva, (Phillips) in New Auburn, WI.

Lynn and Minerva lived in multiple small towns in Wisconsin during their early years together as their family grew, including: Chetek, Milltown, Amery, and New Richmond.

Lynn worked as a draftsman for the Control Data Corporation in Arden Hills, MN. In 1970 Lynn and his family moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where Lynn was actively helping the company open a new operation.

After returning to the States, the family moved to Hudson, WI, for a short time, before finally settling back down in New Richmond, WI in the late 1970’s.

Upon his departure from Control Data in the late 1980’s, Lynn held a few various jobs before starting a new role at the Hostess Bread company, loading bread trucks overnight. At this time, Lynn also became a member of the local Bakery Union.

While Lynn was working at the bakery, it was very dangerous to leave your car doors unlocked. If Lynn recognized your vehicle in the early morning hours on his way home from work, it was very likely you would come out to find it stuffed full of Hostess goodies!

During their marriage together, Lynn and Minerva enjoyed folk and ballroom dancing, camping at Myron’s Park in Sand Creek, WI, visiting the various casinos around Wisconsin and Minnesota, and even a few trips to Laughlin and Las Vegas, Nevada.

They frequented concerts at the Carlton Celebrity Dinner Theater in Bloomington, MN, took trips to visit family in Illinois,  and of course, attending their 3 children’s various sporting, band, theater, parade and school events.

Together, they were also active in the New Richmond United Methodist Church, where Lynn was a trustee, helped teach Sunday School, and volunteered his time over the years for many other various needs.

Lynn enjoyed the simple things in life, gardening, working around the house, fixing various items with duct tape, good food, listening to country music from the 50’s and 60’s, bartending at the Red Rooster, and baking, or maybe “overbaking” cookies!

Lynn, also an active cook for the family, many nights having dinner all ready when they arrived home from work and school activities.

After Lynn’s retirement from the Bakery union in 2004, he still enjoyed occasionally tending bar at the Red Rooster, gardening, working in the yard and on his pond, watching the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Badgers, Milwaukee Brewers, and college basketball playoffs.

And, at the end of the day, just relaxing while watching Guy Fieri, comedies and Hallmark Christmas movies with Nerva, faithful dog Charlee, and later, little Lucy.

The time Lynn spent with his five grandchildren will always be remembered by them fondly. Whether it was having him watch them at school or church events, going “out to eat”, riding his lawn tractor around the yard, making him watch “Spongebob” with them, or just having him there while they opened presents on Birthday’s and Holidays.

These are all precious memories they will cherish forever.

Lynn is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Minerva, son Blaine, (Olga), Barnhart of Minneapolis, MN, daughters Monica Barnhart, (Saige Krohn), of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, and Mindy, (Scott), Sukopp of Eau Claire, WI.

Grandson: Alexander Sukopp, (Molly Organ) of Eau Claire, WI. Granddaughters; Kameron Sukopp, (Corey Randall) of Rice Lake, WI. Isabelle (Brett) Gooden, of Rochester, MN. Corin and Lyndsey Barnhart of Minneapolis, MN.

Great-grandson Tobias Gooden of Rochester, MN

Plus his loving dog, little Lucy.

Lynn was preceded in death by both parents, his in-laws, older brother Robert Barnhart, younger sister Sally Langenfelt, Brother-in- law Dale Phillips, sister-in-law Suzie Anderson and daughter-in-law Tracy Barnhart.

At this time, a celebration of life is being planned for Lynn, and details will be provided at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made at any Royal Credit Union branch, for the “Family of Lynn Barnhart”. All memorial funds will be donated to a local animal shelter.