Emmett R. Barder

Our dad, Emmett Richard Barder entered into heaven on November 5, 2015 and is now with our mom, Margaret, and our Lord. Dad was born on September 22, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois to George and Mary (O’Bradovich) Barder. Dad grew up there, graduated from Mt. Carmel, and left for the first time to serve as a tail gunner in the B17G Flying Fortress, stationed from 1943-44 with the US Army Air Corp, 8th Air Force, 303rd Bomber group at Molesworth, England. Dad flew 37 missions and won the Air Medal, with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross. After the war, dad graduated from St. Mary’s College in Winona, MN and then married Margaret (Hauenstein) on September 3rd, 1949. Dad taught and coached at Morris Public High School from 1951-54. From 1954 until his retirement in 1991, dad was a sales representative in the transportation industry. Dad’s career resulted in the family having an opportunity to live in St. Paul, MN, Dubuque, IA, Sioux Falls, SD, and New Brighton, MN. After retirement, dad and mom lived in Browerville, MN at “the cabin”, and finally at St. Benedicts Senior Community in St. Cloud, MN.
Our dad was fun loving and gregarious. He was always selling something and tried to charm everyone. He is famous in our family for never being able to beat mom in bridge (the morning after discussion at the breakfast table was agonizing for him, as mom sat and smiled), for “the shave”-getting the little grandkids to sit on his lap while he would take any little toy, and gently caress their faces with it, until they would fall asleep in his arms, his magic hiding-the-quarter trick and his boasting of never having lost in pinochle. Dad loved his Notre Dame Football and his Chicago White Sox. Dad did experience a little heaven on earth when they won the 2005 World Series. Also, dad was sure that everyone in the family as well as his friends owed him a dollar, although he never could get anyone to pay him.
He is survived by his 10 children, Patrick (Sandra) of Indianapolis, Mary Lou (John) Bot of Arden Hills, Theresa (Kent) Pierce of Fridley, Michael (Margo) of Plymouth, Timothy (Any) of Glen Ellyn, IL, Deacon Mark (Mary Beth) of Big Lake, Rebecca (Greg) Allen of South Bend, IN, Edward (Charlene) of Champlin, Tony (Duanna) of Cedar Park, TX, Julie (William) McGhee of Victoria, B.C.; 29 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Emmett was preceded in death by his parents; wife Margaret in 2013; and 12 brothers and sisters.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 13, 2015 at Christ Our Light Catholic Church in Princeton. Reverend Luke (Christopher) Barder O.P. will officiate. Burial will take place at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls with full military honors.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday and after 9:00 a.m. on Friday all at Christ Our Light Catholic Church in Princeton. Parish prayers will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at the church. Arrangements are with the Daniel Funeral Home in St. Cloud.
Memorials are preferred.