Kenneth Barnhart

Funeral service for Kenneth Barnhart, 84, of Dickinson will be 1:00 pm, Monday, December 8, 2025 at St. John Lutheran Church in Dickinson with Pastor Lisa Lewton and Pastor Mary officiating. Burial will take place in the spring of 2026.

Visitation for Ken will be 3:00-4:00 pm, Sunday, December 7, 2026 at Stevenson Funeral Home with a prayer service being held at 4:00 pm. After the short prayer service, visitation will continue until 6:00 pm.

Ken passed away Sunday, November 30, 2025 at CHI St. Alexius Health, Bismarck.

Kenneth Alfred Barnhart was born in Belfield on August 10, 1941, the son of Ralph and Florence (Knudtson) Barnhart. Ken acquired the nickname "Bunky" in his early years. He grew up in the Fryburg area, graduating from Fryburg High School in 1959. Following graduation, he was enlisted with the US Army. Ken worked at the Medora Musicals before he left for his military assignment. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Belfield where he met his lifetime best friend, Leona Hecker. The couple was married in Dickinson at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on October 24, 1964. Ken and Leona were blessed with two children, Troy and Lisa. He worked in Belfield in the oilfield, on oil rigs & Amerada-Hess, until the family moved to Bowman in 1976. Ken was a production foreman with Luff Exploration for the next 30+ years. After his retirement, Ken and Leona moved back to Dickinson where they are currently living. Ken enjoyed golfing and hunting, especially elk hunting trips. He loved old tractors and watching the Denver Broncos. Ken was a member of the Elks. He was very close with his siblings and made sure to stay in touch. He was always a helping hand to anyone who needed him and his family was blessed to have him always checking in on them. Friends and employees have all expressed what good man he was. His kind and giving heart will be missed.

Ken is survived by his wife of 61 yrs., Leona; son, Troy (Tina) Barnhart; daughter, Lisa (Brett) Buican; grandchildren, Kyler and Keiana Buican, and Cheyden Paulson; step-granddaughters, Heather and Amber; step-greatgrandchildren, Liam, Serenity, Sebastian and Sawyer; brother, Faron (Kiddo) Barnhart; sisters, Blanche Barnhart, Shirley (Chuck) Irons, Janice Okpanachi (Isaac), Beverly Turbiville (Walter); Brother-in-law Edwin Hecker (Eva), Sister-in-law Sister Laura Hecker; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Florence; brothers, Andrew and Sheridan Barnhart; granddaughter, Zoey Paulson.