Joan Marie Barker

Joan Marie Barker, 67, of Rock Springs passed away on May 24, 2015 at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County. A long time resident of Rock Springs, Barker died following an illness of three years.

She was born on March 5, 1948 in Heron Lake, Minn. the daughter of Edward and Marion Freking.

Barker attended schools in Heron Lake, Minn. and was a graduate of the Heron Lake High School in 1966. She attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. for her Bachelors degree, Mankato State University in Mankato, Minn. for her Masters degree, and graduated with a Doctorate in Education from University of Minnesota in Twin Cities, Minn.

She married David Lyle Barker in Heron Lake, Minn. on Dec. 20, 1969.

Barker was employed as a teacher at Western Wyoming Community College for five years and at Sweetwater County School District No. 2 in Green River for 25 years. She retired in 2010.

She was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Community.

Her interests included spending time with her family, traveling, photography, and the Peace Corps.  She liked to cook, sew, garden, and make greeting cards. She was a perpetual student and was continuously teaching.

Survivors include her husband David of Rock Springs; mother Marion Freking of Minnesota; son Bryce Barker and wife Holly of Laramie; daughter Malena Wright and husband Justin of Rock Springs; five brothers, Ed Freking and wife Colleen, Duane Freking and Anthony Freking and wife Ann, all of Minnesota, and John Freking and wife Jody of Colorado; two sisters, Monica Freking and Mary Jo Curtin and husband Brian, all of Minnesota; three grandchildren, Colby Wright, Cooper Wright and Oakley Barker; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father Edward Freking and one brother, Gregory Freking.

Following cremation, a mass of christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, at Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. 

Friends may call at the church one hour prior to services. Condolences may be left at http://www.vasefuneralhomes.com.

The family of Joan Marie Barker respectfully suggests that donations in her memory be made to Rocky Mountain Bank, 2515 Foothill Blvd. Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901.

The  donations will be used for sleeping recliners for families that are experiencing comfort care at Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County.