Michael Barner

michael barner

Michael William Barner, 67, of Fargo, died Wednesday, December 28, 2011, at Edgewood Vista.  Michael William was born May 12, 1944 in Fargo, ND to William and Beatrice (Bolkan) Barner.

Mike graduated from Fargo Central High School in 1962, where he was active in music and athletics. He went on to attend NDSU where he was freshman class President, member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, ran track and sang in concert choir. He graduated in 1966 with a degree in electrical engineering and in 1968 with a master's degree in electrical and electronics engineering. After graduation Mike was employed at 3M in St. Paul, MN.  He married Julie Williams on December 30, 1975 in Fargo, ND and they made their home in Minneapolis, MN.   In 1984, Mike and Julie moved to Fargo, ND to become associated with Great Plains Software. Mike and Julie raised their family in Fargo, ND where they were involved in the community. Mike was a member of Hope Lutheran Church, YMCA Heritage Club, NDSU Team Makers and Sales & Marketing Executives. He served on the Boards of the NDSU Alumni Association and the Children's Museum at Yunker Farm.  Community involvement was an important part of his life.   In 1999, Mike was diagnosed with dementia.  At that time he was working for Philips.  Mike loved his family and friends. He touched the lives of many people.   Mike is survived by his wife Julie, his daughter Jessica (Andrew) Alsop of Fargo and son Erik of New York City, NY. He is also survived by his mother Bea Peters of Arden Hills, MN, his sister Kathy (Mark) Peters-Martell of Roseville, MN and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father William Barner, Richard Peters and Mark Peters.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of the Red River Valley or to NDSU for a legacy gift to be made in memory of Mike.

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  1. Scottsdale ArizonaDear Julie and family,

    John Pierce shared the news of Mike’s passing with me at last evenings’ Concordia Choir Concert here in Paradise Valley. Julie, I was shocked to hear of this news. John spoke in glowing terms of Mike and the tireless efforts you made Julie, on his behalf.

    I send my most sincere and heartfelt sympathies. God bless.

  2. Moorhead MN
    I was so sorry to hear of Mike’s death. I considered Mike a good friend and fellow track team member in high school at FArgo Central and at ND
    SU. I always admired Mike’s positive, cheerful attitude. He brought a smile to my face each time I saw him. He will be greatly missed.

  3. Tucson AZ
    Dear Julie and family,
    I am so sorry to hear about Mike’s death. I worked at Great Plains and have many fond memories of Mike. I used to try to find reasons to work with him – he was always so positive and happy – a pleasure to be around. He was a motivation and inspiration to me personally and professionally. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Peace. Sherri Bellefeuille

  4. Dear Julie, Jessica, Erik, Bea, Kathy and the entire family.

    As you know Mike touched the lives of so many people and he is so loved because of his kindness and unconditional love and acceptance of others. I had the priviledge of working with Mike at Great Plains – and will forever remember his wisdom and support. May you continue to find comfort knowing that he is smiling on all of us.

  5. San Antonio TexasDear Mrs. Barner
    Please accept my sincere sympathy on Mike’s passing. Mike and I were classmates at FCHS and ND
    SU. Mike played centerfield on our American Legion baseball team the four years that we played together and he was one of the nicest guys I had the priveledge of knowing. I am so sorry that he is gone. May God’s peace be with you and your family at this difficult time.

  6. Gulf Breeze FLDear Julie and Family,
    Praying for peace and strength for you during this difficult loss. Brad and Cheryl Naggatz Family

  7. CHULA VISTA CALIFJULIE,JESSIE,ERIC. IT WAS WITH GREAT SADDNESS THAT I RCVD NEWS OF MIKES PASSING. I KNOW HE IS WITH HIS DAD AND THE PETERS. MY MEMORIES OF YOU, MIKE AND YOUR FAMILY ARE AMONG MY FONDEST MEMORIES. PLEASE EXTEND MY SYMPATHY TO BEA .I MISS THE LAKE AND BROADWATER BEACH. I HEARD THEY ARE GOING TO TEAR DOWN MY PLACE. DID JESSIE FINISH LAW SCHOOL?? AND WHAT IS ERIC DOING IN NEW YORK????I HOPE AND TRUST THAT 2012 WILL BE GOOD FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. BEST REGARDS DEWEY

  8. Billings , MontanaJulie, I was so saddened to hear of your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you. May God bring you comfort and peace. Hugs, Joy

  9. Fergus Falls MN
    Julie and family,

    Our symphathies and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. May the Lord shelter you and sustain you in the coming days and months. Mike was a fine man and he will be missed by many.

    Hal and Judi

  10. Spring Lake Park MN
    Dear Julie, Jessica and Erik…. our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you at this sad time. We love Mike and thought of him often. We are not able to be with you today but will be with you in spirit. God’s love shines on all of you. Peace and Love……Carol, Mike, Chris & Jenni.

  11. Dear Julie, Jessica, Andy and Erik,

    We are so sorry to hear about Mike. You have gained a wonderful guardian angel with such a great smile! You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love to you all! Jill and Chris

  12. Fargo My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss. I didn’t realize until I read the Obituary that your daughter is married to Andy Alsop. I have known Andy for many years from the Clara Barton neighborhood.

    May peace and love surround you.

    Kathe Toft

  13. Fargo ND
    Dear Julie, Bea, Kathy and family,

    Mike was so kind to me when I first met him before Kurt and I were married. We had a small gathering at his folks home and he had that natural ability to make me feel so welcome, like he knew me for as long as he knew the Kollman’s—Jill

    To our good friends, we will all miss Mike. I remember when he used to work out at Southpointe and we would see each other and catch up on the families. He was always happy and positive. Remember he is with our Lord and is looking upon us saying not to worry, that he is happy.

    Love from Kurt & Jill

  14. Fridley MN
    Julie, Jessica, and family –
    We are so sorry for your loss, you will all be in our thoughts and prayers. So glad Jessica and Kara remain good friends.
    Peace be with you all.
    Doug and Sandy Rudolph

  15. Fargo 58103Julie, our sincerest sympathy to you and your family. Mike was a gentle spirit. He fought the good fight.

    Greg & Eileen Glur

  16. Moorhead MN
    Dear Julie:
    My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I wanted to let you know that I fondly remember Mike’s smile and congenial manner when I worked at Trinity in Moorhead. He was so easy to have a good conversation with and went out of his way to warmly greet people. It was truly sad that he had to endure such a long illness. I’m sure his body and mind have now been freed and he is once again smiling and at peace.

    Sincerely,
    Carmen Qualey

  17. Inver Grove Heights MN
    We were so sorry to hear the news about Mike. Although the tough journey he suffered over the past several years has finally come to an end, we know it is a hard time for the loved ones he has left behind. Our thoughts are with you and we hope that, as the days and months march on, reflections are filled with happy memories. May Mike rest in peace.

  18. Casselton North Dakota
    We were so sorry to learn of Mike passing away. We always enjoyed seeing him when we came to visit Dad and we will miss his smiling face. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

  19. Enderlin North Dakota
    Mike and I were classmates, both at Fargo Central High and at ND
    SU. We were fraternity brothers as well. What I remember most about Mike was what a nice guy he was. He always seemed to have a smile on his face. As with most people, we go our separate ways and live our separate lives. I will mourn the passing of a man whom I admired then and now. Rest in peace Mike. Jerry

  20. Fargo To the Barner family–My sympathies to all of you. I worked with Mike while he rep’d for Philips and I was at BSE. He always had a smile for everyone and I’m sure he is smiling at you now. May God comfort you.

  21. west fargo north dakotaJULIE AND FAMILY,

    MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. AM REALLY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, MIKE WAS A REALLY GREAT GUY AND HE WILL BE MISS AT EDGEWOOD. MAY HE REST IN PEACE NOW THAT HE IS IN A BETER PLACE. I WILL KEEP YOU IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

    MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES, YADIRA

  22. Fargo ND
    My Dear Julie,Jessica,Erik and family,
    You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Mike was a special husband and father and will be missed. It was so nice that he could be at Jessica’s recent marriage and share in that special event. May he rest in peace and may you all find comfort in wonderful memories. He was loved by many and affected many lives.
    Our hugs to all,
    John and Jo Lawrence

  23. Moorhead MN
    To Mike’s Family: I am so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. I encountered Mike many times at Edgewood Vista. He was always so kind and gentle. He often would share a visit with Wild Bill and I, making his presence known ever so gently and subtly. As my sister, Shannon, said, he was always ready for a hug goodbye when I would hug Dad. May you be comforted in knowing that Mike touched so many people and we thought so highly of this wonderful man. I will miss Michael.

  24. Columbia Heights MN
    To the Barner Family: I am so sorry for your loss. I don’t know any of you personally, but I did get to know Mike (a little) when I would visit my dad (Wild Bill Day) at Edgewood Vista. On a few occasions when I would hug my dad as I was leaving, Mike would be right there too to receive a hug. He seemed to be a very kind and gentle man. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

    Shannon

  25. Fargo ND
    Julie, My dad, E. J. Palmer, wanted me to extend his sincerest sympathy to you and your family. He has many wonderful memories of Mike, as do Bob and I. Please give Bea a hug from him and tell her how very sorry he is. Kindest regards, Pam Younggren

  26. Audubon MinnJulie and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, during this difficult time. May Mike now rest in peace. Remember the good times Julie.

  27. FARGO ND
    DEAR JULIE,

    I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS MY SYMPATHY TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

    MIKE WILL ALWAYS BE SOMEONE I REMEMBER AS AN UPBEAT, POSITIVE GUY WHO ENJOYED LIFE. HE HAD THAT SMILE THERE ALWAYS SEEMED TO BE LAUGHTER WHEN HE WAS AROUND.

    I MET MIKE WHILE WORKING AT HONEYWELL IN MINNEAPOLIS…WE WERE NODAKS WORKING ON THE MARK-46 / 48 TORPEDO PROGRAM. MIKE WAS A DESIGN ENGINEER “ SMART” WHILE I WAS A STAFF ACCOUNTANT.

    TOM MARSDEN

  28. Fargo North Dakota
    Julie and family,
    I was so sorry to hear of Mikes passing. I have many wonderful memories of growing up with him at church and through all 12 years of school and beyond. His smile was always there and he was such a kind man. May God comfort you during this difficult time.
    Much Love,
    Sue

  29. Lake Orion MII am sorry to hear of Michael’s passing and wish the best to his mother, Bea and to his sister, Kathy.

  30. I only knew “Michael B” in high school but admired him as one of the kindest smartest people at Central …being 2 years behind he still found time to be encouraging to a lowly underclassman. I knew he would go on to touch many lives and clearly he did.

    My sincerest condolences to his family and friends.

  31. Baxter Minnesota
    Julie and family,

    You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We are so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. May memories of all the happy times you shared through the years help to comfort you.

    Love,

    Elise & Don

  32. FARGO ND
    DEAR JULIE & JESS & FAMILY SO SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR HUSBAND & FATHER MIKE.. ROD ALWAYS ENJOYED MIKE… I’M SORRY I DIDN’T GET TO KNOW HIM…. HOPE TO MEET YOU BOTH MONDAY EVENING…OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU &THE FAMILY……….. TAMMY & RODNEY

  33. San Jose CaliforniaDear Julie, Bea and Kathy,

    You are in my thoughts and prayers during these sad times.

    Bea, I will always remember Mike from the old pot luck days with my folks. Such a great guy! I will always remember that wonderful smile. I wish I were there to give you all big hugs!

    All my love, Betty Poindexter

  34. North Judson INDear Julie, Jessica, and Erik,

    I am so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He was one of the kindest men I’ve ever known and a great friend at a time I needed one! He will certainly be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I just wish I could be there in person to give each of you a hug.

    Love, Bonnie

  35. Green Valley AZ
    Dear Julie and family,
    I was deeply saddened to read about Mike’s passing in today’s Forum. He was a fun, kind and gentle soul and someone all of us in the Fargo Central High School class of 1962 admired, respected and loved. I’m so glad he was able to see Jessica married last month. My sincere sympathy to all of you. Love, Phyllis

  36. Minnetonka MN
    Dear Julie, Jessica, Erik, Bea & Kathy,

    My thoughts and prayers are with all of you with the loss of Mike. I will miss his smile !!

    Kind regards, Sheila Foss

  37. Fargo North Dakota
    Dearest Friends…Thinking of you all and sharing your pain in the loss of Mike…He was always fun to be around and kind to everyone..God bless his memory…
    With love, George and Patti

  38. Gastonia North CarolinaDear Julie, Jessica, Erik and Kathy,

    Please know that I am thinking of all of you during this difficult time. I have so many fond memories of growing up around Mike and knowing him as a close family friend. He had a terrific sense of humor and was always ready for a good laugh! He was a special person and he will be truly missed.

    Laurie


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