Allen 'Gene' E. Barth

Allen Eugene "Gene" Barth, 89, of Rock Branch died Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, at a Sioux City hospital with his children at his side.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Rock Branch United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Ralph Schram officiating. Burial will be in Fairfield Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home in Sioux City.
Allen Eugene "Gene" Barth was born in Sioux City, on Oct. 16, 1923, to William and Gertrude (Kistle) Barth. During his childhood, he lived in various locations in northwest Iowa. He attended and excelled in school throughout the area.
On Dec. 10, 1941, Gene married Betty Hansen. They worked for a variety of farmers, until they were able to purchase their own farm near Hinton, Iowa. In 1968, they moved to their farm near Rock Branch, and they lived there together until Betty’s passing, in 2012. Shortly before her death, they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family and friends. He then moved to Char-Mac Assisted Living in Lawton, Iowa.
Gene was a member of Rock Branch United Methodist Church. Gene was fiercely protective of his family and was devoted to their success and well-being. Together with Betty, they worked hard to ensure that each child had all they needed to be productive citizens. He taught his children the value of hard, accurate work, the importance of honesty and integrity, and the value of standing up for what one believes. His passing leaves a void in the lives of his family, but he had a deep belief in God and so looked forward to meeting Betty in heaven.
He was a man of many talents. He was a meticulous farmer who did his own mechanical and maintenance work. He could fix almost anything and build/invent devices to get the job done. Gene was also a pilot. He and Betty enjoyed flying to area flight breakfasts and an occasional visit to relatives and events out of state. He also enjoyed restoring antique cars, and secured one for each of his children. He played many musical instruments, especially the accordion, and entertained for community events. He loved winning at cards, and he never met a dog or a cat he didn’t like.
Survivors include his three children, Bill (Pat) Barth of Pierson, Iowa, Linda (Terry) Waugh of Moville, Iowa, and Julie (Charles) Schram of South Sioux City; eight grandchildren, Brian (Marlene) Barth of Kingsley, Iowa, Penny (Jay) Brooks of Des Moines, Ben Waugh of Sioux City, Andrea Waugh of Sioux Falls, S.D., Lindsay (Brian) Wray of Lincoln, Neb., Jordan (Kathy) Schram of South Sioux City, Carter Schram and fiancee, Michaela Acklie of Omaha, and Emily Schram of South Sioux City; as well as several great-grandchildren; a sister, Darlene (Jack) Mahrt of Lawton; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; two infant sons, Kenneth and Walter; his parents; two brothers, Orville and Marall Barth; and a sister, Leta Johnson.