Fred D. Barnhouse
November 10, 1943 — July 27, 2020
Fred Barnhouse, 76, of Coggon, Iowa, passed away on Monday, July 27, 2020, at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa. Per his wishes, cremation has taken place. Burial will take place at God’s Acres Cemetery in Clermont, Iowa at a later date. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion, Iowa, is assisting the family.
Fred was born November 10, 1943, in Clermont, Iowa, the son of John and Lila (Gruver) Barnhouse. He graduated from Valley High School in Elgin, Iowa, in 1961, and went on to attend the Electronic Computer Programming Institute in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, graduating at the top of his class in 1966. On June 13, 1981, Fred was united in marriage to Judy (Snitker) Waters. During his career as a computer programmer he worked for the Cedar Rapids School District, Merchants National Bank, BICS, Life Investors, and Perot Systems in Iowa and Florida, retiring in 2009. Fred proudly served as the Kidney Network Patient Representative at Mercy Dialysis Center. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, joking around, and driving his ’57 Chevy golf cart in parades with Judy (in 1950’s attire). Fred’s greatest gift to us was his love, but his gift of laughter was a very close second. He had a special way to connect with everyone he came in contact with. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Fred is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 39 years, Judy of Coggon; daughter, Julia (Dirk) Lebeda of Palo, Iowa; four step-children, Sherry (Bill) Bright of Anamosa, Iowa, Sheila Kelley of Cedar Rapids, LeeAnn (Brad) Olson of Walford, Iowa, and Craig Waters of Swisher, Iowa; 11 grandchildren, Dalton and Wyatt Lebeda, Cody Bright, Kasey Spores, Roger, Robert, and Dillon Kelley, Ashley Covington, Tasha Schmidt, and Payton and Paige Waters; 13 great-grandchildren, Ava Lebeda, Carson, Kyler, and Corbyn Bright, Lily and Cadence Spores, Brooklyn Kelley, Owen Kelley, Isaac and Kennedy Kelley, Rilynn and Nyle Schmidt, and another great-grandchild expected in October; two sisters, Mary Sandeen of Lidderdale, Iowa, and Wanda Flatland of Cresco, Iowa; sister-in-law, Cecile Barnhouse of Colorado; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lila Barnhouse; two brothers, Lew and John Barnhouse; and two brothers-in-law, Charlie Sandeen and Kenny Flatland.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to everyone at the Mercy Dialysis Center in Cedar Rapids.
“Now I know more than the wisest amongst you.”
Fred was born November 10, 1943, in Clermont, Iowa, the son of John and Lila (Gruver) Barnhouse. He graduated from Valley High School in Elgin, Iowa, in 1961, and went on to attend the Electronic Computer Programming Institute in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, graduating at the top of his class in 1966. On June 13, 1981, Fred was united in marriage to Judy (Snitker) Waters. During his career as a computer programmer he worked for the Cedar Rapids School District, Merchants National Bank, BICS, Life Investors, and Perot Systems in Iowa and Florida, retiring in 2009. Fred proudly served as the Kidney Network Patient Representative at Mercy Dialysis Center. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, joking around, and driving his ’57 Chevy golf cart in parades with Judy (in 1950’s attire). Fred’s greatest gift to us was his love, but his gift of laughter was a very close second. He had a special way to connect with everyone he came in contact with. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Fred is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 39 years, Judy of Coggon; daughter, Julia (Dirk) Lebeda of Palo, Iowa; four step-children, Sherry (Bill) Bright of Anamosa, Iowa, Sheila Kelley of Cedar Rapids, LeeAnn (Brad) Olson of Walford, Iowa, and Craig Waters of Swisher, Iowa; 11 grandchildren, Dalton and Wyatt Lebeda, Cody Bright, Kasey Spores, Roger, Robert, and Dillon Kelley, Ashley Covington, Tasha Schmidt, and Payton and Paige Waters; 13 great-grandchildren, Ava Lebeda, Carson, Kyler, and Corbyn Bright, Lily and Cadence Spores, Brooklyn Kelley, Owen Kelley, Isaac and Kennedy Kelley, Rilynn and Nyle Schmidt, and another great-grandchild expected in October; two sisters, Mary Sandeen of Lidderdale, Iowa, and Wanda Flatland of Cresco, Iowa; sister-in-law, Cecile Barnhouse of Colorado; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lila Barnhouse; two brothers, Lew and John Barnhouse; and two brothers-in-law, Charlie Sandeen and Kenny Flatland.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to everyone at the Mercy Dialysis Center in Cedar Rapids.
“Now I know more than the wisest amongst you.”
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