Garth Edwin Barker

Garth was born October 2nd 1953 to Edwin and Adelia Belle Whitcomb Barker in New Hampton, Iowa. He attended high school in Fredericksburg, IA. Garth graduated from the University of Iowa, College of Pharmacy in 1978 and the University of Northern Iowa with a Masters in counseling in1989. On April 20th 1974 Garth was married to Marlyne Fink. The couple moved to Albert Lea in 1989. Garth was the clinical director of Fountain Centers Chemical Dependency Unit and through his own 22 years of sobriety touched many lives. He was an active member and trustee at Calvary Baptist Church. Garth enjoyed fishing, golfing, reading, and remodeling. He loved being 'Papa' to his grandchildren. Survivors include his wife Marlyne, daughter Jenny Kenyon, husband James and their daughter Makenzie Belle of St. Charles; son Sgt. Joshua Barker, wife Angie Zoller and their son Auslund of Albert Lea Josh has been serving our country in Iraq with the Army National Guard for the past 15 months; mother Adelia Belle Barker, Fredericksburg, IA; brothers Dr. Gerry Maureen Barker of Cedar Rapids, IA and Ben Barker of La Plata, MD; sisters-in-law: Terri Glenn Meier, Jer Brent Steere, Mary John Groh, Lynne John Rasmussen; brother-in-law Dave Deb Fink; numerous nieces and nephews and Marlyne's deceased mother's husband, Gayl Gitch. Garth was preceded in death by his father Edwin, father and mother-in-law E.J. and Ruth Fink, Tripoli, IA. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Fountain Centers Patient Support Fund are preferred. Garth gave in death as he gave in life; he was an organ donor.