Ralph A. Barndt
August 15, 1943 – September 3, 2024
Ralph Arthur Barndt was born on August 15, 1943, in Billings, Montana. He passed away unexpectedly at Niobrara Community Hospital on September 3, 2024.
Ralph is the second of five children born to Clyde and Alice Barndt of Bridger, Montana. He grew up in Bridger, Montana and moved to Edmonds, Washington when he was 16 to help his brother run a fuel station. He attended Shoreline High School and graduated in June of 1961. It was in Seattle that he met the love of his life, Sharon Heinrich, and they were married June 16, 1962. Ralph started his career as an apprentice at Boeing as a machinist. While in Seattle, Lynnita and Layne were born. He worked for Boeing until 1969 when the family moved to Arlington, Texas where he was a machinist for LTV. It was there that Lori was born. In 1970 Ralph took a machinist job in Fort Nelson, British Columbia where Lisa was born. Work took the family to Grand Prairie, Alberta in 1973 where Melanie was born. The family moved to Wyoming in 1976 where Ralph was employed by the Diamond Tail Ranch in Shell, WY. They moved to Worland in 1977 where Ralph worked for Holly Sugar and Crown Cork and Seal as a machinist. Ralph was transferred to Hereford, Texas in 1988. Ralph and Sharon spent the next 20 years in Texas, living in Hereford, Beaumont, and League City, Texas. Ralph retired in 2009 when he and Sharon moved to Lusk, Wyoming where he enjoyed his time as a bus driver for 10 years.
Ralph never met a stranger. He was always interested in what others had to say and always had a story of his own. He loved Lusk where he could walk down the street or into the post office and talk to people who knew him by his first name. He loved to hunt and spent the last 15 years hunting with friends, relatives, and grandchildren or anyone interested in hunting. Ralph enjoyed volunteering at the senior center by delivering meals, helping with food commodities and serving on the Senior Center board. He also enjoyed volunteering at the Stagecoach Museum. Ralph supported the community by attending school fundraisers, meals, sporting events, or end of year showcase events. Ralph loved children. In most recent years, Ralph was a loving and selfless caregiver, husband, cook, father, grandfather/great grandfather, and friend. Ralph leaves behind an amazing legacy. Ralph was so proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a gentle giant. He was smart enough to do or be anything, but humble enough to be content and lead the life he lived. Ralph loved his faith and put God first every day from the age of 12 years when he chose to serve God.
Ralph is preceded in death by his parents, Alice and Clyde Barndt. Brothers, Jim and Jan Barndt. Daughter, Melanie Barndt.
Ralph is survived by his wife of 62 years, Sharon Barndt of Lusk, Wyoming, a brother, Lee (Marlyce) Barndt of Hermiston, Orogen, and a sister Bernice Richardson of Billings, Montana. Daughter, Lynnita Jessen of Richardson, Texas and grandchildren Ben (Kori) Jessen of McKinney, Texas, Brooke Jessen of Houston, Texas, Barrett Jessen of Norman, Oklahoma. Son, Layne (Kim) Barndt of Post Falls, Idaho and grandchildren Court (Lynn) Barndt of Post Falls, Kayla (Gabe) Bermudez of Post Falls; Natalie (Danny) Nieves of Post Falls and Taylor (Kaylee) Barndt of Snohomish, Washington. Daughter Lori (Abe) Badeen of Bentonville, Arkansas and grandchildren Lauren (Andrew) Hanson of Kansas City, Missouri; Emily (Hattie) Badeen of Springdale, Arkansas. Daughter Lisa (JD) Williams of Lusk and grandchildren Clayton (Trisha) Williams of Lusk; Allison (Carter) Vigesaa of Hazen, North Dakota, Larkin Williams of Laramie, Wyoming; Melanie’s daughters, Brittany (John) Meek of Gun Barrell City, Texas and Aleshia Barndt of San Antonio, Texas. Ralph and Sharon have 15 great-grandchildren: Cameron, Paxtyn, Jaden, Clarice, Lillie, Levi, Logan, Oliver, Charlie, Mylee, Jonah, Crew, Corbin, Josie, and Maggie in addition to many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A memorial service will be held in Lusk, WY on Thursday, September 12 at 10:30 a.m. at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds. A lunch reception will follow the service.
Live streaming of the service will be available through the following link
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 988 4141 2177
Memorials may be made to Niobrara Senior Center, P.O. Box 928, Lusk WY 82225.
Pier Funeral Home in Lusk, Wyoming is in charge of arrangements.
