Michael Robert Barnes, age 47, of Cambridge died February 2, 2014 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, February 7th at First Baptist Church in Cambridge with Pastor Jared Gustafson officiating. A time for visiting will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
Mike Barnes was born December 31, 1966 in Minneapolis to Donald and Arleen (Fagerstrom) Barnes. He was raised in the Braham area and graduated from Braham High School in 1985. As a teenager, he enjoyed racing 3-wheelers and won many trophies. After high school, he attended Alexandria Technical College and graduated with a degree in Farm Equipment Mechanics. He began working at Cambridge Metals & Plastics in August 1988 and worked there until his illness.
Mike married Gail Lovelace on August 28, 1987. They have three wonderful children Courtney 18, Kyle 17, and Brayden 15. Mike shared his passion for the outdoors with his children. Together they enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, ATV riding, camping, and thrill seeking. He and his children also shared a special relationship with his Uncle Lloyd which included working on the family farm.
On February 2, 2014, Mike took his final ride—destination heaven—where he is now visiting with his beloved father. Mike was preceded in death by his father Donald Barnes.
He is survived by his daughter Courtney of Ramsey, sons Kyle and Brayden of Cambridge, mother Arleen Barnes of Hinckley, sister Sandra (Dan) Nelson of Hinckley and nephew Dustin Nelson of Mound, former wife Gail Barnes, and many other relatives and friends.
Cousins are friends by blood, not decided by us ..decided by God. I am so thankful that God decided to make us cousins. Family get-togethers were always made more interesting by your antics. Whether you were making up songs about Grandpa’s pigs or joining with my brothers to torment Sandra and me, you filled every moment with smiles and laughter. I’m going to miss you more than you would know. Give your Dad and Grandma and Grandpa a huge hug from me. Until me meet again……….I love you.
To the Barnes Family – I am so very sorry for your loss. Mike was a kind-hearted and gentle man who had a fierce love for his children. In the last few years I was able to see Mike a few times and catch up with him. He had a contagious smile and a generous spirit. I’m grateful that I was able to know him. You are all in my thoughts.