Everett Barta

Everett Barta, 92, Steele died on Wednesday, May 13, 2009. Services will be held at 10:30 am Monday at the United Methodist Church, Steele. Burial will be held in Woodlawn Cemetery, Steele. Visitation will be held from 2:30 pm until 8:00 pm Sunday at Eastgate Steele Memorial Chapel. He was born on the homestead of his parents, John and Mamie Barta, in Kintyre on July 9, 1916. His siblings were Elma Cunningham and Clarence Barta.. He attended Baker, Manning, and Steele schools, graduating from Bismarck High in 1934. While in high school he participated in a General Motors' competition for teenagers to build Napoleonic coach models. Everett's three coaches resulted in a $50 gold piece prize in national competition. After high school Everett returned to the farm where he met school teacher, Helen Hill. Everett studied architectural drawing and estimating at Wahpeton State School of Science, after which he worked in Bismarck. On June 9th 1940, Everett and Helen were married in Seattle, WA. They returned to Bismarck where he built several houses on 4th street across from the capitol and the present Governor’s mansion. Bonnie was born in 1941. When the war erupted, lumber was unavailable, so their family of three moved back to his father’s homestead where their daughter, Kathleen, was born. Everett continued farming until he moved to Steele in 1947. He built and remodeled dozens of homes in Steele and the surrounding area. In 1950, Charette was born. Everett was a board member of the Methodist church, a member of the Lions and Commercial Clubs, served on the City Council and was mayor of Steele. In 1967, Everett and Helen bought Feton Lumber Yard, and it became Barta Building Supply. In 1981, they retired to travel and spend time with their grandchildren. They took bus trips to New England, Florida, and Washington D.C. Everett kept busy making and selling wooden crafts at many area craft shows. They spent winters in Boulder City, NV. After the death of his beloved Helen, for whom he so lovingly cared, of Alzheimer’s Disease in 2000, Everett built furniture and small wooden keepsakes for his family. In Steele he worked on projects for the Methodist church and restoration of the Community Building. He will be remembered as a man who loved God, wife, community, family and friends. He enjoyed life as a farmer, builder, and community servant. He will be greatly missed by his daughter, Bonnie Jack Barthel, Federal Way WA; granddaughter, Kirsten Brett Trusko and Nicholas, Dominick, and Treyton, Rochester, MN; daughter, Kathleen Karstensson, Henderson, NV, and granddaughters, Linne Tony DePasquale and Kris Ryan Edwards, Keller, TX, and their children, Emma and Owen; and daughter, Charette Barta, Minneapolis. Memorials may be given to the ND Community Foundation, Barta Scholarship fund or Kidder-Emmons Senior Services.

Everett Barta

July 9, 1916 - May 13, 2009