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Robert W. Barneson
January 3, 1938 - August 24, 2026
Service Date September 3, 2026
There will be a Memorial Service on Thursday, September 3 at 11 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 675 Shell Creek Rd, Minong, WI 54859. In lieu of flowers please address memorials to the Washburn County Meals on Wheels.
Robert “Bob” W. Barneson, passed away peacefully at St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, MN on August 24, 2026 with his family by his side.
Born in 1938 in Eleva, WI. Bob was a lifelong proud Badger State native. He was well known for his skills in basketball. He was captain of Eau Claire’s High School team, winning EC’s last State Championship in 1955. He continued at UW Madison where he was captain. He met his wife Mary Lou (Beckwith) at this time. Bob spent most of his professional career teaching at Eau Claire North High School where he was also athletic director for many years. Bob impacted generations of students as a social studies teacher and coach.
Upon retirement in 1993, Bob and Mary Lou moved to her family cabin in Minong, WI. He was a member of Spooner Golf Club and a competitive force on the course well into his 80s. Some of his family’s fondest memories were spent together at their Minong lake house, where Bob anchored decades of summer traditions.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph “Ben” and Lillian (Stuber) Barneson and his brothers Jim and Gary.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Mary Lou Barneson; his children, Julie Meyer (Tom) of Seeley, WI, and John Barneson (Annie Klessig) and grandson, Jack Barneson of St Paul, MN; his sister, Barbara Knutson; his sister-in-law, Diane Barneson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Many heartfelt thanks to the staff at Essentia St. Mary’s in Duluth, especially the ICU nurses.