Dewayne Barleen

Dewayne D. Barleen, 86, of St. Paul, died Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023, at Brookefield Park in St. Paul, just one day short of his 87th birthday.

Dewayne was born on Aug. 9, 1936, at Republic, Kansas, the son of Claire James and Bluebell (Persinger) Barleen. He received his education in Republic, Superior, Byron, Hardy, Lovewell, College View at Lincoln, Nebraska, and graduated from Hickman Public School in 1954. After graduating, he moved to Kansas, living with his relatives and worked for C.O.B. on the Lovewell Dam and Canals.

He was united in marriage to Colleen Wilton on July 15, 1955, at Bostwick. They lived in Superior and then moved to Republic, where he worked for the Republic County Roads Department. Then moved to Belleville, also while working for the county roads department. Then worked for Rolfsmeier Equipment operating heavy equipment and moved to Culbertson, Nebraska, with Rolfsmeier and worked on the Red Willow Dam and Canals. In the Summer of 1961, the couple moved to St. Paul, Nebraksa, working on the canals coming out of Sherman Dam.

In 1965, Dewayne went to work for Howard Greeley Public Power as a ground man, then a lineman and worked up to line supervisor, retiring in 1999. He then became a director for Howard Greeley Public Power.

In 1995, Dewayne and his son, Dan, started B & B Builders, building skids and crates until 2005. He also worked for Roger Goettsche for a number of years installing and repairing underground sprinklers.

Dewayne coached baseball for 13 years while his three sons were growing up and helped coach his grandsons, as well.

He enjoyed being with family, going fishing, hunting, bowling and watching his sons and grandsons wrestle and play baseball.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Colleen of St. Paul; sons and daughters-in-law, Denny and Jeannett Barleen of Hot Springs, South Dakota, Dan Barleen of St. Paul, and Donny and Janette Barleen of St. Paul; daughter and son-in-law, Joy and Tyrone Myers of New Braunfels, Texas; 10 grandchildren, Susan and Joe Wheeler, Kristan and Matt Poast, Erika Bergsrud and Clinton Hagan, Audrey Barleen Colella and Brad, Derek Barleen and Bailey, Tyler Barleen and Allayna, Roland and Rosemaire Barleen, Donny Barleen, Jr., Chester Jonn Parcasio, Kisha Mae Parcasio; 14 great-grandchildren, Lilian, Isaac, Rosalie, Owen, Eloise, Alex, Aidan, Raiden, Ivana, Kylene, Scott, Noah, Jethro and Roman; two sisters, Judy Kinghorn of Fairbury and Carol Todd of Lincoln; and three sisters-in-law, Lorna Wilton of Superior, Lynn Wilton Koester and Marvin of Deshler, and Roberta Wilton of Denver; and many relatives, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Davey Barleen; three sisters and one brother-in-law, Marcille Barleen, Beverly Barleen and Lucille and Robert Meggitt; two brothers and one sister-in-law, Donald and Marlene Jewell and Kenny Barleen; and four brothers-in-law, Ray Kinghorn, Harold Wilton, Gilbert Wilton and Roger Wilton.

His funeral was at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, at Peters Funeral Home in St. Paul. The Rev. Vince Parsons will officiate. Burial was in the Elmwood Cemetery in St. Paul.