Byron 'Barney' O. Ware

AITKIN -- Byron "Barney" O. Ware, 100, Aitkin, died Thursday, Oct. 10, 2002, at the Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin.

He was born March 29, 1902, in Sloan, Iowa, to Henry and Anna (Ashmore) Ware. He attended schools in and near Hornick, Iowa. He moved with his parents to the Aitkin area in 1920 and graduated from Aitkin High School in 1922. In the summer of 1919 he worked as a section hand on the Milwaukee Railroad in Rodney, Iowa. He also worked for two years at the Billy Morris' heading mill. In 1923 he worked on a farm in Hornick, Iowa, and at the Cudahay Meat Packing Plant in Sioux City, Iowa. He served with the Minnesota Army National Guard. In 1930 he graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter with a bachelor's degree in education. During his college years he worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad in Brainerd as a machinist's helper. In 1930 he began teaching at Bricelyn. He married Agnes E. West on June 10, 1932, in Brainerd. In 1937 he moved to Lake Benton to be a principal and coach. In 1942 he moved to Sibley, Iowa, and was a part-time principal, teacher and coach. In 1941 he bought half interest in the Ideal Grocery Store in Aitkin, which he operated until 1956. He also bought a small farm outside of Aitkin on Hammel Lake, which he operated until 1973. He moved to the Village Apartments in Aitkin in 1986 and lived there until he recently moved to the Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin. He was a member and served on the church council at the First Lutheran Church, was a member of the Butts School Board, worked with the Hammel Lake Telephone Company as secretary and treasurer, served as the president of the Aitkin Land O Lakes Creamery Board, and was secretary/treasurer of the Aitkin Livestock Shipping Association.

Survivors include many nieces and nephews.

His wife, four brothers and three sisters died earlier.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at First Lutheran Church in Aitkin with the Rev. Lance Isaacson officiating. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery in Aitkin.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. today at the Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin and one hour before services Monday at the church.

Memorials are preferred to the First Lutheran Church Building Fund.