Barry Lee Huitema
Barry Lee Huitema, age 63, passed away early Tuesday morning, October 25, 2011 from a heart attack. His wife Erna was by his side. He was teaching at Zama High School at Camp Zama, Japan at the time of his death.
Memorial services are 2:00 PM, on Thursday, November 17, 2011 at Vangen Lutheran Church in Mission Hill, South Dakota with Rev. Lance Lindgren officiating. Inurnment will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton. Visitation will be one hour prior to the memorial service at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton, South Dakota.
Barry was born in Yankton, South Dakota on March 19, 1948. He graduated from Yankton High School in 1966 where he received All-State honors for football. He then attended Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD where he earned his undergraduate degree and Master's Degree in Secondary Education. While at Northern, Barry won nine letters in three different sports. He spent his adult life dedicated to teaching, coaching, and being an athletic director for many different high schools and middle schools in Michigan, Kansas, South Dakota, Virginia, and Illinois. He also taught at AFNORTH International School in the Netherlands and at Yokota Middle School and Camp Zama High School, both in Japan. Barry enjoyed spending his free time golfing, traveling with his wife and spending time with his family. He was always active in the numerous churches where he had been a member. Barry was presently a member of Vangen Lutheran in Mission Hill.
Barry is survived by wife, Erna (Fiedler) Huitema; son and family: Barry Huitema, Jr., Lauri Griffith-Huitema, Thomas and Grace of Fairfax, VA; daughter and family, Erika (Huitema) Hartley, Brian Hartley, Hunter and Jackson of Chandler, AZ; brothers, Sid Huitema, Jr. of Ocala, FL and Jon Huitema of Yankton; sister, Julie Orton of Yankton; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins in the Yankton area.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney and Adeline Huitema and his sister, Marlene Raabe of Tyndall, SD.
Memorials may be directed to Vangen Lutheran Church in Mission Hill.
Messages will be reviewed and posted within 1 business day.
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As a sport official in Huron Barry is still appreciated by the officials which work the local lower level games. When Barry came to Huron he noticed our pay for these games were very low and he raised all of our game fees. To this day we are still paid more than most schools in the state pay their lower level officials. Manny times over the years at local official meetings I have brought up Barry's name why our fees are at the level area at the rate there are at. Barry has been appreciated. Rest in peace.
Gary Harrington
Barry has always been an inspiration to me. He was truly a fine school administrator who worked hard to make the people he supervised better in all aspects of their job. We all felt a huge loss when he and Erna left Huron as they meant so much to all of us. Barry had faith in me as he hired me as the head track coach in Huron and I never wanted to let him down. When I followed him as AD in Huron he helped me so much in my first year. Barry set up a great model for athletic administration that I followed my entire career as AD. He will always be one of my heroes and I thank God that I was fortunate to know Barry. Until we meet again.
Mark Wendelgass
What a shock it was to read in the Argus Leader of Barry's death. You have my deepest sympathy! I don't know how long you will be in the area, Erna, but if are going to be around for a while and will be coming to Sioux Falls, I'd love to see you. I'm sorry that I won't be at the funeral, but I pray for God's comfort for you and your family.
Erika Lehmann
Erna and Family. I have many fond memories of Barry. When he was AD at Huron and I at Aberdeen Central we spent many days traveling across the State discussing ways to solve all the problems in Activities in SD. We really did not solve any of them but, had a great time trying. Barry was an excellent professional educator and will be missed by all. God Bless.
Jim and Barb Haar
Erna and family;
Our sympathy and prayers go out to you all. To sudden to be real for you all. Please know you are being thought about. Our prayers are with you.
Dave and kathy Schanche
I read about Barry's death and just wanted to say to my former classmate, Jon, how sorry I am. And you've also lost a sister---That's tough to deal with.
Judi Arnold Steege
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