Dennis Barker

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Grafton Lutheran Church in Grafton, N.D., with visitation starting at 1:00 p.m. for Dennis Barker, 78, of St. Thomas, N.D., who passed away April 13 at his home, wrapped in his wife’s loving arms.

Dennis Lee Barker was born on February 12, 1948, to Richard (Dick) and Verbena (Pat) (Klein) Barker in Langdon, N.D. He was raised and educated in Hannah, N.D., and he often reminisced about his stellar basketball career without a three point line. He attended and graduated from Mayville State College where he met the love of his life, Kay Santman. They were united in marriage on August 15, 1969. They planted roots in St. Thomas, N.D., and raised two children, Stephanie and Kyle. From teaching, to owning a grocery store, to selling cars and trucks, to working in the ag industry as a farmer, agronomist and crop adjuster - Dennis had a diverse career portfolio. He was always proud to call St. Thomas home, and he was very community- minded. You would find him out mowing lawns, blowing snow, picking weeds, trimming branches - anything to keep the town he loved in great shape. He served as mayor of St. Thomas and was active on several boards: Booster Club, Airport Authority, cemetery, Hager Estate, and Community Development. In 2012, Dennis and Kay were awarded the Expo Radio Community Hero award.

Dennis was blessed with great friends where memories were made on hunting trips, football trips, and camping at the lake. He was known for his quick wit, one-liners, and his love for the Atlanta Braves. Every fall, Dennis could be found in his pickup at the end of the field, proudly watching his son-in-law and grandchildren harvest the crops. Dennis’ greatest blessings were his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He spent countless hours playing baseball in the backyard with his grandkids, and he lived in gyms, at football fields, and baseball diamonds - even when he was the only fan at a baseball game because it was 30 degrees outside. He loved Facetime calls with his outof- state granddaughters and taking them for side-by-side rides when they came to town.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 56 years, Kay Barker; daughter Stephanie (Brent) Baldwin; son Kyle (Kristen) Barker; five grandchildren: Samantha (Tim) Spicer, Hunter (Betsy) Baldwin, Braylon Baldwin, Eliza Barker, and Greta Barker; three great-grandchildren: Brynn and Leo Spicer and Kinley Baldwin; and seven nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Joan Mirehouse, brother Gerald Barker, and nephews Terry Barker and Daniel Mirehouse.

The service will be livestreamed on the Tollefson Funeral Home website. A celebration of life will follow at the St. Thomas American Legion. Inurnment will be at the St. Thomas City Cemetery in the spring.

An online guestbook is available at: www.tollefsonfuneralhome.com The Tollefson Funeral Home of Grafton is in charge of the arrangements.