Marilyn Barr
NEGAUNEE TWP., MI – Marilyn Barr, 80, of Negaunee Township, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, October 15, 2019 at Mill Creek Assisted Living while in the care of her loving family and UP Home Health and Hospice.
Marilyn was born in Ishpeming on September 12, 1939 to Edward and Margaret (Agnoli) Miller. She graduated from Negaunee High School in 1957. On January 17, 1959, she married the love of her life Donald Barr. She earned her Licensed Practical Nursing degree from Northern Michigan College utilizing those skills raising her children. In the early 1970’s she began her bartending career at the Diamond Club in Marquette & Rollie’s Place in Negaunee. In 1976 Marilyn & Don purchased Ki’s Bar and began operating Barr’s Bar until their retirement.
Mrs. Barr was a member of St. Paul Catholic Church, Negaunee. She belonged to several civic & philanthropic organizations including the Marquette Lady Elks, MLBA, the Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce, Ishpeming-Negaunee Diplomats, Morgan Heights Auxiliary, Dead River Campers Association, the Pine Ridge III Condominium Association, and was the first woman member of the Negaunee Lions Club. She served in various elected & board positions for most of these organizations.
Marilyn enjoyed immensely her retirement years as a snow bird, spending winters in Florida and summers at camp on the Dead River Basin. In her spare time, she loved to entertain which involved her cooking in large quantities of food. She was known for spending all day in the kitchen & would keep on making dishes until guests were arriving.
Surviving are her children: Kristine (Timothy) Elwart, Kimberly Sowle & Joseph (Julie) Barr; grandchildren: Katie & Megan Elwart, Bradley & Brianna Ruesing, Victoria Sowle & Donald & Angela Barr; great-granddaughters, Hannah and Evelyn; and her nephew & niece, Joe & Theresa.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Donald Barr on August 9, 2017.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 12:00 noon on Saturday, November 2nd at St. Paul Catholic Church with Rev. Larry Van Damme officiating. Burial will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 am until the time of Mass at 12:00noon at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Marilyn’s memory to UP Home Health and Hospice.
Mrs. Barr’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com