Bernie Barnes age 75, of Mitchell died Saturday August 5, 2017 at his home surrounded by family. Memorial services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at the First Reformed Church in Mitchell. Visitation will be at the church from 11:30 to 1:30 on Tuesday. Pastor Dean Ulmer will officiate.

Bernie was born June 1, 1942 in Mitchell, SD to Don Sr. and Bernita (Bender) Barnes. Bernie  graduated from Notre Dame High School and later obtained his Bachelor Degree at Dakota Wesleyan University. He married Judy Kreutzfeldt on March 25th 1972 and from this union, two daughters were born.

For the last four decades, Bernie was driven almost entirely by life's most simple things. He left no doubt about his children and grandchildren meaning "the world" to him. His family felt this most through their frequent phone calls, questions about the smallest of details just to show he cared, along with sharing how much he enjoyed our time spent as a family on weekends and those special occasions that brought us all together. Daughters Kelly and Jill always knew that Bernie's love and support was endless.

Bernie made a career out of his passions in golf and love for sports. First as a coach, then a sports writer, but he found golf to be his ultimate passion as a long-time golf professional and instructor. When he wasn't busy caring for the golf course, he also brought his passion for Agronomy to his own lawn and conversation with virtually anyone who showed an interest in grass.

He always loved to read, but became the ultimate world historian after retirement through his constant hunger for knowledge through reading.

Bernie's impact on people young and old was impressionable. Bernie was a family man to all. Whether it was his own family, his church family or just around his neighborhood, you knew you were loved.

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife Judy of Mitchell; daughters Kelly (Michael) Greene of Madison, SD and Jill (Kelby) Kleinsasser of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren Jaxon Greene, Hayley Krutsch, Cameron Kleinsasser, Maxwell Kleinsasser, Payton Kleinsasser and Drew Kleinsasser; brothers Don (Kate) Barnes of Sioux Falls, SD and Tobin (Jeannie) Barnes of Spearfish, SD; many nieces, nephews and all his special friends.

Bernie is preceded in death by his parents.