Ronald Barnett

Ronald Barnett was born to Ralph and Velma (Schieffer) Barnett on the family farm in Gem, Kan. on Jan. 24, 1938. He was the first of three boys in the family. Ron passed away in Greeley, Colo. at the Pathways Hospice Care Center on Sept. 23, 2023.

Ron attended school and graduated from Colby, Kan. Ron’s adult life started with farming in the Gem area and he was united in marriage to Janice Jones. To this union two sons were born, J.R. and Christopher.

As years went on, Ron went into Co-Op management and lived in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. While working in Nebraska, he met and married Norma Kerst in 1995 and gained five step-children, Mikel (Mary) Kerst, Kelvin (Sherri) Kerst, Sharleen (Brad) Riemenschneider, Carolyn (Preston) Klimper, and Kristi (Bob) Day. Ron’s final job before retirement was working for the McCook School District as manager in the maintenance department.

Ron’s pastimes included fishing, reading, gardening and woodworking. He made beautiful clocks, bird houses, beautiful platform rockers, and other wonderful pieces.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Marvin and Bill, and step-daughter, Carolyn Klimper, and step-son-in-law, Bob Day.

Ron is survived by his wife, Norma; sons J.R. (Wendy) and Christopher (Tina); stepchildren Mikel, Kelvin, Sharleen, and Kristi; sisters-in-law Topper Barnett and Sandra Barnett; and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also had a special fur friend, Wrinkles, who will certainly miss him.

Family service to be held Sat., Dec. 9 at 2:00 p.m. at Beulah Cemetery, Colby Kan. Memorials maybe given to McCook Humane Society in memory of Ron.