Lester Gieneart

HOT SPRINGS, AR: Lester J. "Barge" Gieneart, died as graciously and resolutely as he lived at home on November 13, 2009.    Born on October 16, 1930 in Marshall, MN., Les was playfully dubbed "Barge" by his boyhood pals on account of his propensity for displacing a whole boat-load of water when jumping into their favorite swimming hole. Among his family and friends the moniker became an enduring term of endearment to which he happily answered for the remainder of his life.    An accomplished athlete, Barge played on eight championship football teams over his high school and college careers. His prep success resulted in an athletic scholarship to South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD. which, in turn, led to his chosen profession as a Civil Engineer.    Barge was a patriot. He served his country courageously with the Minnesota 47th Infantry. He attained the rank of Master Sergeant and Platoon Leader with the 27th "Wolfhound" Regimental Combat Team in Korea. Twice wounded, he was awarded two Purple Hearts with Oak Leaf Clusters and the Bronze Star for heroic conduct in the face of enemy fire.    He was also a dedicated outdoors man, who personally furthered the cause of wetland conservation from back in the days long before it became en vogue. A crack shot with any type of long gun, Barge was a member of several trap shooting teams in Minnesota and in Arkansas. Hither and yon, he and his beloved Yellow Labrador, "Autumn Moon" hunted ducks, geese and upland fowl together for many years. They were welcome, familiar faces in the eyes of many hunters from all walks of life and points of the compass.    He was also an avid, self-taught culinary artiste who loved to transform the bounty of his hunts into sumptuous meals for the enjoyment of his family, friends and hunting buddies. His love of the culinary arts even led him into the field of restaurant management for several years, before his return to engineering as Physical Plant Director at what was then Faribault State Hospital, Faribault, MN..    His prowess in that capacity eventually led to his being recruited for the position of Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management and Planning at Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN.. He finished his distinguished career in 1996 and then - with his wife, Deon - retired to Hot Springs Village, AR. Later, they moved to Hot Springs, proper.    Barge was a devout Catholic and served several parishes faithfully. Most recently he was a member of St. Mary's of the Springs Catholic Church, Hot Springs, AR.. Additionally, he was a former officer of the Benevolent, Protective Order of the Elks Lodge.    He was also a member of Disabled Veterans of America; Association of Physical Plant Administrators; Minnesota State Engineers and Land Surveyors; Minnesota State Engineers Guild; Ducks Unlimited; Minnesota Deer Hunters: Delta Waterfowl and Minnesota Waterfowl.    Lester Joseph Gieneart was preceded in death by his father and mother, Henry F. And Helen (Peluf) Gieneart and a sister, Patricia Gieneart Neill.    Barge's legacy of an innate sense of responsibility, decency, humor and extraordinary vigor survives in the persons of his loving wife of more than 57 years, Deon; his daughter Nancy and her husband, Scott Jameson of Eagan, MN together with their sons Aaron and Blair and their grandson, Logan; his son, Steven, of Crosslake, MN; his daughter, Tierney, and her husband, Marc Putman of Hudson, WI and their son, Reason and daughter Aris Ayn; the four children of his sister, Patricia and her husband William Neill (Nena Saunders, Mark, Bruce and Bill and their families); a brother, Henry, and his wife, Joanie of Minnesota Lake, MN together with their son Michael and his family and their daughter Jo Rae and her family: a sister Diane and her husband, Dennis Flicker, together with their daughters Amy and Katie and their families; cousins and their families and many friends and neighbors.     No finer figure of a man ever trod upon the earth, nor cherished more every step he took and every hand he shook along the way: even onto his dying day.     Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church (139 Mercy Dr.) in Faribault, MN . Visitation will be held from 10:00-10:30 a.m. at the church. Inurnment with full military honors will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.    Honorary pallbearers shall be Messrs Larry Henle, Ron Iverson, Henry "Jake" Jacobson, Roger Denker, Dennis Faulk and R.T. Leisen, with tributes to Tom Andrzejewski and Jim Weingartner: treasured friends who gave their lives for their country in Korea.    For those who wish to commemorate his life, contributions can be made to: Dierksen Hospice, 3648 N. Hwy 7, Suite Hot Springs, AR 71901. Their capable, compassionate care gave Barge and Deon months of quality time together.