MARION BARKER
Long time East Troy resident Marion Loveland Justin Barker passed away on Aug. 2, 2014, at the age of 96 (and a half, as she would specify) at her home in Redgranite.
Marion was born Feb. 20, 1918, and raised in rural Lafayette Township, graduating from Elkhorn High School in 1936.
After caring for her infant nephew Allan for his first year, she moved to East Troy and worked for her Uncle Virgil “Stub” Whitmore in his grocery store on the square. During that time she and Roger Justin met, fell in love and were married.
They made their home on the east end of Austin Street in East Troy. There they built a home without any loan and had two children, Brian and Laurie.
Marion loved their home, the marsh, and the wildlife that came happily to her door for her TLC.
Marion was a stay at home mom and later employed for a time at Trent Engineering. The Justin family enjoyed many golf outings and summer trips.
In 1968, Roger passed away. Marion began working at Agricultural Records Cooperative and ran the lab there for many years. Through her work there she met Brent Barker. They were married July 22, 1972. They enjoyed their years together till Brent’s death in 2000.
Marion loved East Troy and served on the Village Board during the 1980s. While on the board, Marion worked with Wisconsin’s Representative Les Aspin to bring in funding to pave the runway at the East Troy Airport.
At age 70, Marion said “let’s go” to an invitation from the Sky Knights and took her first (and only) sky dive.
Marion loved the Green Bay Packers, had a Packer wardrobe and never missed a game. In 2002, she was runner up in the Green Bay Packer Fan of the Year Contest.
In 2003, she accompanied her daughter Laurie and her family to Ireland, enjoying the Jameson, the beautiful green land and wonderful people.
Early in 2004 Marion sold her home in East Troy, moved to Waukesha, and after a few years there, followed her children to Wautoma. One day she said, “You know, I have done a lot in my life…but mostly I had fun.”
Marion is survived by son Brian (Linda) of Sheboygan and Wautoma; daughter Laurie Engen (Rick) of Redgranite; grandchildren, David Engen (Kristen) and Leah Grosh (Eric); great-grandchildren Jack and Ellie Engen; sister Ardelle Baur of Elkhorn; many nieces and nephews; dear friend Linda Gray and many other dear friends she has made over the years.
A private gathering of family and friends is being planned to celebrate Marion’s wonderful life.
