Obituary for Thomas "Tom" Barter, Jr.

Thomas (Tom) Barter, Jr passed away August 22,2025.  He was born on February 28,1955 in Kenosha, WI.  Tom graduated from Tremper High School in Kenosha and went on to major in Agricultural Engineering from UW-Madison.  While at college he was active in the DTS fraternity and other campus organizations.  He also met his future wife, Grace Raddatz.

After marrying on September 29,1979 Tom and Grace moved to Mitchell, IA where Tom was employed by Tri-County FS in their grain bin division.  He learned the art of mechanical grain dryer systems and electrical motor applications.  The couple moved to Kesley in 1981and established Kesley Electric Motor Service where Tom could apply his mechanical/electrical prowess.  The business grew and expanded over its 40 years of operation, being sold to MN-IA Electric in 2022.

Tom never claimed to be a musician, but controlled the “sound booth” at Bethel Reformed Church for many years.  He participated in church groups, several business groups and EAA (Experimental Aircraft Assn).  Tom earned his pilot’s license in 1999 and spent many hours in his shop, building an Avid Magnum airplane. He also enjoyed the mechanisms of the pipe organ and would help Grace at her Sweet Adeline shows and orchestra concerts.  The neighborhood cats knew Tom as “the cat whisperer” as he fed them their kitty treats.

A memorial service is being held Sunday, September 7, at 2pm at Bethel Reformed Church north of Aplington, IA. A time of visitation/fellowship will follow the service.  Inurnment will be held at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in Oshkosh, WI.