Dorothy Barnett

Dorothy Barnett, 97, of Sioux Falls and formerly of Highmore, passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at Bethany Lutheran Home, Sioux Falls.

Funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the United Methodist Church, Highmore with Pastor Kori Lehrkamp officiating. Burial followed at the Highmore Cemetery.  Visitation was held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Dorothy Eloise Rutherford was born January 20, 1917 to William and Lula B. (Nelson) Rutherford in Kimball, South Dakota.  As a child, Dorothy lived on a farm in the Big Bend area with her parents and older brother, Parker.  She attended Busy Bee Elementary School about ½ mile from home.

Dorothy attended school in Pierre.  She married Curtis Kirkpatrick and to this union one son, James William was born on January 21, 1937.  Curtis and Dorothy were later divorced.  Dorothy and Jim moved to Highmore where Dorothy worked in her parent’s café.  Thomas “Bud” Alva Barnett came to the cafe and it was there that he met his future bride.  He and Dorothy were married June 4, 1944.  Sharon Kaye was born to this union on February 3, 1949.

In 1950, the family along with Dorothy’s mother all moved to the farm northwest of Highmore.  Throughout the years, Dorothy worked at different eating establishments in Highmore.  She and Bud owned and operated the Tastee Freez drive-in during the 1960’s.  Dorothy also worked for the school lunch program for several years.

In January 2001, Dorothy fell and broke her arm.  Labor Day weekend, 2002 she moved to Sunnycrest Retirement Village in Sioux Falls.  On December 9, 2011, Dorothy’s family moved her to Bethany Lutheran Home in Sioux Falls. 

Dorothy enjoyed feeding people.  She was well known for the delicious raised donuts that many people enjoyed.  Needlework, cross stitch and embroidery were some of her favorite pastimes.  She made seven large scrapbooks that are very interesting.  They include news articles, grocery ads, cartoons, pictures, human interest stories and much more. 

Grateful to have shared in her life are her two children: Jim (Irene) Kirkpatrick of Dakota City, IA and Sharon (Richard) Stoley of Sioux Falls; seven grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and 12 great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bud; and one brother.