Bernard W. "Barney" Cron • 1934 - 2008

Bernard W. "Barney" Cron, 73, Flaxton, ND, died Sunday, November 9, 2008 in the Kenmare Hospital, following a courageous eight-year battle with cancer.

Bernard was born December 9, 1934 on a farm north of Bowbells, ND, the son of William Bernard and Helen E. (Anderson) Cron. He moved with his family to Flaxton, ND, where he was raised and educated. Barney excelled in academics and athletics, especially basketball. He graduated from Flaxton High School in 1952 and was very proud of his Flaxton roots. He had even modeled his original letterman sweater at a recent reunion.

His work experience started at a young age when he traveled with his father custom combining from Texas to North Dakota in the summers.

Barney married Betty Conlin in July 1956 and they had three children: Gary Bernard, Geri Lynn, and Sandra Ranae. During their marriage, he was a police officer for the Williston Police Department, an employee in a plywood mill near Missoula, MT, and then began his career in the oil patch. Barney and Betty later divorced.

While in Missoula, Barney started big game hunting and was rewarded with a trophy elk and an unending love of the mountains. He was an advocate for conservation and good stewardship, and fully supported the NRA and The Wilderness Society.

Barney moved to Plentywood, MT, where he met his future wife, Janet Johnson. They married in April 1964 and had one son, James William. Barney began working in the oil fields of North Dakota and both offshore and onshore in Alaska. His last oil field employer was Reading and Bates. The young family enjoyed fishing, hunting, and camping in Alaska. In 1968 they moved back to Flaxton when Barney was hired by Kleysen Inc. of Winnipeg, MB, to manage the Potash Loading Complex in Northgate, ND. In 1971 Barney and Janet built their home next door to his childhood home in Flaxton.

The job at Kleysen Inc. was a perfect fit for a man who loved the mix of managing, using his unique ability to problem-solve, and getting the job done. The company encouraged him to be involved in his community and Barney rolled up his sleeves and built playground equipment for the Northgate Dam complex; served on the Burke County Fair Board and spearheaded the water well project at the county fairgrounds; and served as a Director and Chairman of the Board of the Flaxton Development Corporation, which built 4-plex apartments. In addition, Barney was a lifetime member of the Flaxton Fire Department, where he also served as Chief and planned and fabricated a fire truck. He was a member of the Flaxton Senior Citizens and served on the Flaxton City Council where he was involved in numerous improvement projects. Barney was a long-time member and a Director of the Burke County Surface and Mineral Owners Association. He grew up Presbyterian, then joined the Catholic Church, and later became a member of United Lutheran Church.

Barney and Janet bought a small farm near Northgate, ND, where he farmed and was able to enjoy the outdoors and nature. In 1975 he bought and raised a buffalo, which became the center of his farm until 1999. He continued farming until his retirement.

Barney always loved the outdoors, where he hunted, fished, and spent his whole life waiting for the next season to open.

There was never a problem too tough for Barney to solve. He was often seen as the mediator at board meetings and within his own family. He liked to sit down and come up with a good solution that fit the needs of everyone. Barney loved his family and enjoyed the times spent with them.

Barney was a gentleman, and friend to many, and he will be deeply missed.

Those who shared in his life: Loving wife, Janet, Flaxton, ND; children, Gary (Barbara) Cron, Collinsville, TX, and their son, James; Geri Lynn (Gary) Everson, Deer Lodge, MT, and her children, Mitch, Michael, Marty and Trace; Sandra Leitheiser, Eugene, OR, and her children, Amy and Zachary; James (Claudia) Cron, Bottineau, ND, and their children, Hunter and Finn; sister, Bernice (Merwyn) Larsen, Flaxton, ND; half-sister, Bonnie (Norman) Nielsen, Bowbells, ND; half-brother, Frank (Marilyn) Cron, Great Falls, MT; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins survive.

Barney was preceded in death by his parents, William B. and Helen E. Cron; sister, Mildred Peterson, and a grandson, Phillip, and a granddaughter, Michelle.

Funeral: Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at United Lutheran Church, Flaxton, ND.

Visitation: There will be no reviewal, but family and friends may sign the guest register Saturday, one hour prior to the service in the church.

Burial: Ebenezer Lutheran Cemetery, Flaxton, ND.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Barney's name are preferred to the Flaxton Memorial Preservation Fund.

To sign the online guest register for Barney
To view the online guest register for Barney

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