Delores Barnhart was born in Dickinson, ND September 1, 1939, the third (and last) daughter of Nick and Margaret (Schwindt) Weiler. She graduated from Dickinson High School in 1958 where her self-written prophecy was to be married to Clifford Barnhart with two kids a girl and a boy within five years.
And…married to Clifford Barnhart she was for 60 years this June. While Delores’ life, like all of us, is marked by important dates: graduations, weddings, career, childrens’/grandchildrens’ births …this is not what defined her. Her outgoing nature and loving concern for anyone she met was one of her most endearing traits to her family. Her heart reached out to all with a gentleness of spirit. If you asked her what her greatest accomplishment was- her reply would be her deep love for the man she was married to for 60 years, her life-long partner who stood by her through the last 12 years of illness and hospitals with love, encouragement, handholding and continued gentle care; her children who will all be married 30+ years in 2018; something she was so proud of and planned to celebrate in June, her grandchildren who do no wrong in her eyes- whom she spoiled with ice cream for breakfast and an inability to refuse them anything; who turned to her for advice and unconditional love.
Delores was active in PEO, a philanthropic education organization, promoting the education of women. She overcame her fear of speaking in front of large groups to become state president of this organization whose mission was dear to her heart. Hospital stays, more frequent in recent years, would find her visiting with her caretakers about continuing their education and providing information about how PEO could help with a grant or a loan. Delores served as a mentor to these young women- one young lady became very dear to her as Delores encouraged her to work for her RN degree.
Throughout her life, Delores leaned on her strong faith as she faced adversity, joy, challenges and trials. Her involvement in Catholic Daughters was important to her- again, always serving others. Her love for all she met and her caring, nurturing nature found her volunteering for her church, the local hospital and the first woman to serve on the Richland Credit Union board.
Delores passed away at her home in her husband’s arms on Friday, May 11th, 2018.
Delores leaves behind her husband and partner Clifford of Sidney, MT as well as a legacy of children and grandchildren who strive to reflect the values they learned from this gracious woman: her daughter Nicki (Paul) Beyer; sons Ken (Jean Whiteman) and Thom (Jeana Deming) all of Sidney, MT; and son Russ (Lisa Gingerich) Inver Grove Heights, MN. The grandchildren who sat on Grandma’s lap of whom she was so proud: Cole Beyer (Viviane Manfre & Lucca); Aaron Barnhart; Stephanie Barnhart (David Walters and Oliver); Jessica Barnhart; Niall Beyer (Amber Ryckman); Ashley Barnhart; Miranda Barnhart; Logan Barnhart, Lauryn Barnhart and Suttyn Barnhart.