In Memory of Paul G. Bargar

Paul G. Bargar, age 87, of Ida Grove, Iowa, joined Jesus on Wednesday, October 16, 2013, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 26, 2013, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa with the Reverend Richard A. Salcido officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion at the church. Burial will be held at a later date at the Border Plains Cemetery of Lehigh, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday, October 25, 2013 at the Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen ~ Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online to www.christensenvanhouten.com

Paul G. Bargar was born on December 5, 1925, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Ray H. F. and Fern C. (Rosenau) Bargar.

Paul graduated from high school in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He enlisted in the Armed Forces in January 1944, where he served as an infantryman and medic during WWII. Paul was honorably discharged in April of 1946 as a Private First Class. He continued his education by going to college and then on to tech school where he learned his trade as an electrician. Paul worked for Iowa-Illinois Gas & Electric, Northwest REC, and owned and operated Bargar Electric until 1984. Paul wired the hospital in Ida Grove, the Lutheran church, the school in Anthon, as well as many grain elevators all over northwest Iowa.

Paul married Mary Ann Gadbury in 1947. They had two daughters and a son.

Paul married Cecile C. (Greco) Billings on March 24, 1984. They made their home in Taneyville, MO where they ran a country store from 1985-1986. The couple then moved to Joplin, MO where Paul sold real-estate and they owned/operated a liquor store from 1986-1989. In 2004 they returned to Ida Grove, Iowa.

Paul showed his love of the Lord, was a student of the Bible, and was a member of the Heartland Baptist Church of Ida Grove. One of his greatest joys in life was flying - he loved to tell about flying his plane under a bridge in Fort Dodge. Paul also enjoyed riding his scooter, making stained glass projects, woodworking that featured making cedar chests and rocking horses.   Paul made stained glass windows for the Heartland Baptist Church in Ida Grove and the Evangelical Free Church in Arthur. Paul also served on city councils in Joplin, MO, and Ida Grove.

Paul was an excellent marksman and was a member of the Fort Dodge Pistol Club and the NRA. He taught hunter safety classes as his way of helping others to be safe while they enjoyed one of his passions.

Survivors include his wife, Cecile C. Bargar, of Ida Grove, IA; children, Toni (Gary) Olson, of Omaha, NE; Steven (Teri) Maxwell, of Leavenworth, KS; Lanette (Jim) Forck, of Peoria, IL; Kathy (Monte Berrett) Lorenzen, of Ogden, UT; David (Susan) Billings, of Springfield, OH; Tim (Deb) Billings, of Ida Grove, IA; Steven Billings (special friend Julea Penland) of Port Orchard, WA; 28 grandchildren, and, 19 great grandchildren; a brother-in-law, L.R. Kenning of Willard, MO; and two nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters Carole Jean, Shirley Francis, and Jane Rae.