Ben Barta, 75
Ben T. Barta, 75, of Montgomery, died Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, at the Pleasant Manor Nursing Home in Faribault.
Born October 6, 1934, in Wheatland Township, Rice County, Ben was a son of Ben A. and Anna (Schoenbauer) Barta. He attended country school and the Lonsdale Catholic School and received his GED in 1957. He married Shirley Meger on April 30, 1957, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Le Center. He served in the U.S. Army and farmed until 1990, later working in real estate and having his own musical group, the well-known Ben Barta Band. He was an excellent musician and an avid fisherman. Ben was a member of Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post #79 and the Wheatland Twin Lakes Sportsman's Club.
He is survived by his wife; children Steve Barta, Minneapolis, Gretchen Bultman Barta, Faribault, Terry Barta, Greenfield, MO, Karen (Wade) Wiberg, Red Wing, Connie Barta, Rochester and Dale Barta, White Bear Lake; three grandchildren Riley Barta, Melissa Barta and Justin Bultman; great-grandson Aidan Bultman; a brother Stanley (Ruth) Barta, Montgomery; sisters Mary Ann Maruska, New Prague, Ann (Marvin) Schaak, New Prague and Angie (John) Havlicek, New Prague; and sister-in-law Darlene (Danny) Ryan.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister in infancy; brother-in-law Edward Maruska; and sister-in-law Florence Campbell.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 11:30 a.m., at Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Montgomery.
Interment was at Calvary Cemetery in Montgomery, with military rites by the Montgomery Area Veterans Honor Guard.
Visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Keohen Memorial Funeral Home in Montgomery, and also at the funeral home one hour prior to the services on Wednesday.
