John A. Barrett

John A. “Jack” Barrett, 84, peacefully passed away surrounded by his loving family on February 7, 2018.

John was born on September 22, 1933 in Lake Geneva, WI to the late Miles and Margaret (nee Bingham) Barrett.

He graduated from Lake Geneva High School in 1951, where he was a stand-out athlete on the football, basketball and baseball team. On May 9, 1953, he was united in marriage to Leona V. Krohn at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lake Geneva WI. 

Jack’s life reflected his faith in God, a strong work ethic, love of his family and friends.

As a young man, he served our country in the US Army as an Intricate Artillery and Radar Specialist from 1954-1956. He was stationed at Carswell Airforce Base, Ft. Worth, TX where he resided with Leona. He returned to Lake Geneva, WI in 1956 to work for the Wisconsin Power and Light Company. Jack and Leona were active members of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, where Jack volunteered on the building committee and as a Boy Pioneer leader. Jack and Leona also started their family with three children. 

In 1971 he transferred to Oregon, WI where he was a Serviceman Specialist and union representative with the Wisconsin Power and Light Co. (Alliant Energy). Jack was instrumental in establishing the Oregon EMS (1978-1979) and a volunteer on the Oregon Fire Department for many years. Jack retired from the WI Power and Light Co. in 1992. After retirement, Jack and Leona moved to Tomahawk, WI. He enjoyed living in the north woods, where his grandfather once lived. In 1999, Jack and Leona moved to Pardeeville, WI to build their final home and be closer to family.

Over the years, Jack volunteered many hours as a member of his churches as an usher, council member and elder. He volunteered for many committees and helped with the church’s many building projects. Jack was a self-taught mechanic, carpenter, electrician, and plumber. Jack constructed several homes for himself and many woodworking projects for his WPL colleagues, family and friends. Jack was best known among his friends and family for hunting and Canadian fishing trips, that he spearheaded for many years. His last fishing trip to Canada was in July 2015.

Jack is survived by his wife, Leona of 64 years; one son, Matthew (Dawn) Barrett of Poynette, WI; two daughters, Pamela (Wade) Engelhart of Oregon, WI and Cheryl Barrett (Kurt Kaiser) of Sheboygan, WI; seven grandchildren, Jacob (Amanda Baumann) and Noah Engelhart (Jasmine England), Christian, Carson and Caelyn Kaiser, Breanna and Courtney Barrett. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Marilyn Desing; and many cousins, nephews and nieces, and their spouses and children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Miles and Margaret Barrett; mother-in-law, Alma Krohn (nee Hoppe) and father-in-law, Walter Krohn; two sisters and their husbands, Betty and Bud Millard and Judy and Robert Jankowski; brothers-in-law, Roger Krohn and David Desing; brother-in-law and wife, Fred and Marion Krohn; and nephews Dale Krohn and Mike Millard.

Visitation will take place at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 505 East Lafollette Street in Pardeeville, WI, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 12, 2018, followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. In addition, a visitation will also take place at the Derrick Funeral Home 800 Park Drive, Lake Geneva from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, followed by a military honors and burial at Oak Hill Cemetery, Lake Geneva, WI.

Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare or to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pardeeville.

We would like to thank Dr. Heun and his caring staff at SSM Health Dean Medical Group Cancer Center and Agrace Hospice for their compassionate care and treatment during Jack’s illness.

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