Larry B. Barko, 76, of Oberon, ND, died Friday, June 29, 2012, at Essentia Health in Fargo.  Funeral services will be Friday, July 6, 2012,  11:00 AM  at Calvary Lutheran Church in Oberon with Pastor Natasha Woitzel-Kolles officiating.  Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery at Oberon.  Visitation will be Thursday from 4 to 7pm at the Nelson Funeral Home in Maddock and Friday at the church an hour before the funeral.  Casket bearers will be:  Gene LaMotte, Tom Lang,  Raymond Nelson, Craig Poulsen,  Lester Roberts and Gene Wooley.  Honorary bearers are:  Tom Cooper,  Duane Howard,  Don Knutson,  Bob McMaster,  Mayo Nelson,  Paul Stensland, John Thomas and Tom Wetzel.  Music will be from Deanna Hanson, organist.

Larry Burnett Barko was born August 27, 1935, at Devils Lake, ND, to August and Olivia (Beck) Barko.  He was raised in Oberon and graduated in 1953 from the Oberon High School.  Following graduation, Larry worked in the plumbing, electrical wiring and television repair businesses.  He then farmed near Oberon until his retirement.  Larry was once married to Carol Jabs.

Larry enjoyed hunting, fishing and especially visiting and coffee with his relatives and friends at his home, the "Barko Coffee House".   He was always interested in politics, current affairs and sports.  During his earlier years, Larry enjoyed playing baseball and was a member of the Minnewaukan-Oberon Junior Legion Baseball Team that won second place in the North Dakota State Class B American Legion Baseball Tournament in 1951.  Larry also played basketball and was a member of the Oberon team that won the 1946 and 1948 Benson County Grade Basketball Tournaments.

Surviving are his brothers:  Gary Barko,  James (Pam) Hanson and Paul (Audrey Eads) Hanson all of Sheyenne;  a sister:  DeLores Bordman of Everett, WA;  a brother-in-law:  Aaron Woyen of Bismarck; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents;  sisters:  Jane Woyen & Marilynn Stonstahagen; and brothers:  Lyle and Wallace Barko.



Condolences:

We send our love in memory of Larry may he rest in peace. Bob and Shelley McMaster



May Larry rest in peace but still have a ball in Heaven with all his friends and relatives that was called home before him.  I have all kinds of childhood memories when my dad would go visit him, i'd be right behind him.  :)  Hes a great friend and will be missed.    Ashley Hunt-Littlewind