Alton Barth

Monday, April 15, 2019 1:24 pm

Alton Barth, 91, of Decorah, died Sunday, April 14, 2019, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Funeral services were at 11 a.m., Tuesday, April 16, at the Burr Oak Lutheran Church, with Rev. Matt Larson presiding. Burial was in the Hauge Cemetery. Visitation was from 2 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 15, at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home, and also after 9:30 a.m. at the church Tuesday morning. Casket bearers were Tim Barth, Rick Cook, Mark Vick, Kyle Rosendahl, Brian Engelhardt, David Barth, Berndt Bohr, Tracy Dahms, Dave Sacquitne and Donnie Keefe. Eulogy was by Patty Casterton and Dave Sacquitne. Organist was Rose Breitsprecher. Hymns were “How Great Thou Art” and “Here I Am, Lord.” Soloists were Paul Casterton (“The Lord’s Prayer”), Renae McIntosh and Allison Weiss (“In The Sweet By and By”). Special CD music was “When I Get Where I’m Going.”

Alton Wayne Barth was born Dec. 21, 1927, the oldest of eight children, in a farmhouse north of Decorah, the son of Alfred and Mae (Peterson) Barth. He was baptized at Hauge Lutheran Church and also confirmed at Hauge Nov. 8, 1942. He enlisted in the Navy and after an honorable discharge, he started hauling can milk for three years, never missing one day of work during those three years. Alton farmed most of his life and along with a friend, did custom work for many farmers. Alton was an extremely hard worker and instilled that trait in all of his family. He loved working at sale barns and did so at about every barn in the area for over 55 years. He did everything from unloading, sorting all night long and then became the weighmaster. Alton married Barbara Engelhardt at Hauge Lutheran Church Sept. 4, 1966. They were blessed with two children, Lori Marie and Scott Alton. He was active in the community serving on many boards including: North Winneshiek School, Lutheran Credit Union, FSA and the Farm Bureau Board of Directors. He was a member of Farm Bureau for over 45 years and also a member of the Elks Lodge and Odd Fellows. Alton has been very involved with his churches including both Hauge and Burr Oak Lutheran serving as council member, Sunday school superintendent and teacher, usher, property committee and checked almost weekly to make sure everything was “OK” at the church. He was teased that he did everything in the church except, play the organ and preach. He was so proud of his grandsons Tyler and Austin (or as Grandpa always called him, “Austy”). He was very happy that both of his children built houses on his farm – which meant, being close, they would stop and visit and help out quite often.

Alton is survived by his wife, Barb Barth, Decorah; children, Lori (Rick) Rea, Decorah and Scott (Michelle) Barth, Decorah; grandchildren, Tyler (fiancé, Leah Wroge) Barth, Calmar and Austin Barth, Decorah; brothers: Ronald (Dorothy) Barth, Cedar Rapids, Gordy (Gert) Barth, Decorah and Paul (Vickie) Barth, Waverly; sisters, Gloria Vick, Lewiston, Minn. and Yvonne (Ken) Barnes, Decorah; sisters-in-law, Karen Barth, Cedar Rapids and Kathy (Marc) Rosendahl, Decorah; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Alton was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Mae (Peterson) Barth; sister, Marilyn (Duane) Cook; brother, Bernard Barth; brother-in-law, Gordy Vick.