Glen E. Barcus of Brooklyn Park passed away June 17, 2016. He was 86 years young. 

Left to treasure his memory is wife Marlys Barcus, his sons Randy (Diana) & Tom Barcus, his favorite daughter Karen (Pascual) Armand, grandson Brady Barcus, GrandDOGS, Max (Randy & Diana), Frankie Doodle & Beebo the Felon (Pascual & Karen), brother Wayne (Colleen) Barcus and many family and friends.

Glen was the third of four boys, born to parents Frances and Harry Barcus. At the age of 13, he decided that he desired to get more of an education than what was normally offered at that time, which was 8th grade.  The very difficult decision was made that he would move to Grand Rapids where he worked to pay rent and attended Grand Rapids High School.  This was not 100% approved of, but he knew in his heart he wanted and needed more from life.  So there he went to the big city of Grand Rapids, MN.  Besides, how was he going to ever meet anyone other than his relatives, through 8th grade, he had 8 in his class...  6 were relatives!?

After graduating from High School, he knew he wanted to go to college, but did not have money for his first semester of school.  So, he got a job at local café and saved enough money to pay the admission fee and the first semester's tuition.  He graduated from North Dakota State University with an engineering degree and worked in telecommunications until he retired in 1994. While living in Bermuda he worked for NASA on Project Mercury as Test Director at Wallops Island, VA. He met the Astronauts while he monitored test flights of the space capsule. Throughout his career, he worked on several cutting edge technologies such as fiber optics, the first cash machine, video conferencing, and many other exciting telecommunication advancements.

Glen also had another career in the Army, he was a Barber....  hence, Karen, Randy, and Tom's jagged bowl cuts until they were 18 years old.

He met his forever sweetheart, Marlys, at the YWCA in downtown Minneapolis where they both enrolled in dancing lessons.  To see these two dance together was magical.  To see Glen dancing with anybody and their brother, was even more priceless…  just try to keep up!  Dancing with the stars?  HMMMPH, Glen was the star!  They were married for 60 years.  Marlys notes...  actually 60.5, but who's counting?

Another love in his life was his Mother, Frances Barcus.  She used to call him "The President."  Why you ask?  Well, because she thought that he was going to be the President of the United States, that's why!  His political career ended as quickly as it started.  After being defeated by just a few votes in the "Barcus for City Councilman" campaign, he moved onto bigger and better things.  Such as President of the PTA, President of the Professional Society of Engineers, President of the Children's Home Society something or other, President of the Airstream Club, President of the Gideons...   I think you get the picture! 

Though there were no presidential positions available, he also loved coaching.  He coached baseball, softball, and basketball.  He never missed a game.  He also never missed an opportunity to yell "Pull your head out Ref!"  Everybody knew who was watching Karen's Volleyball games, that is for sure! 

It was Glen’s passion to go up to Northern Minnesota to his cabin on Gunn Lake with his family.  Glen, Marlys, Randy, Karen, Tom, 2 full grown dogs, and a slew of puppies made the trip up to Bovey, MN almost every weekend.  One litter was 13 pure bred springer spaniel puppies (another one of his passions). I know you are doing the visual right now…  2 adults, 3 children, 15 dogs, in one station wagon….  CHAOS!  Not to mention the times where Grandma Barcus was also riding in the back!

No matter what the weather was, he was bound and determined to get up there no matter what time of night (preferably 3am) it was or what the weather might be.  Many times he used his station wagon (Walleye Wagon as Karen called it) as a snow plow to get into the cabin road.  Not to worry though, if the Walleye Wagon broke down, he would unload a snowmobile off the trailer and drive the rest of the way into the cabin road.  Once inside the cabin, he would load the wood stove up to the brim in an effort to get it as warm as possible.  That was all well and good until the cabin was now at a temp of 115 degrees.  The kids would then have to open up the windows to breathe again!

His very loved two oldest brothers, Robert and Douglas Barcus ran the family resort, Wildview Lodge, for many years.  If anyone is looking for a great fishing resort, rustic, nothing fancy, we still have openings!  Check us out at www.wildviewlodgeresort.com.  (Yes, that was a selfish plug)  He later in life fulfilled his dream of running the resort with his brother Doug for many summers.  Glen’s son, Randy, also an engineer - took a 6 week leave of absence to run the resort after Glen’s sudden passing this summer.  Randy has said he has never been so tired!  (I say, hey, if a 86 year old guy can do it, this should be a piece of cake my brother)

Glen was notorious for always being late.  He would pack his family into the car in the twin cities and just when they thought they were finally going to leave for the cabin.... he would announce that he needed to “spray the apple trees” before they left.  His tardiness was just part of the world that Glen lived in…. “Glenville” as his daughter affectionately calls it.  If you were unable to find Glen, just look for him entering Target or Cub Foods 3 minutes before they closed. 

Glen's younger brother, Dr. Wayne Barcus, was one of his brightest joys in his life.  His pride of his little brother was endless.  Up until the last moments he referred to him as "Dr. Barcus."  They enjoyed almost nightly phone calls of which could be quite humorous to those observing.  Dr. Barcus did not share in Glen's very STRONG Republican rooted beliefs...  which made for some heated conversations to say the least!

He loved his children more than anything.  His favorite daughter Karen did the unheard of….  She brought a CUBAN home to meet Mom & Dad…  and then she married him!  He couldn’t have been more pleased!  Whenever Pascual walked into the room, Glen’s face would light up with a huge smile.  Glen and Marlys often said “Thank you for bringing our Karen back to us, especially her laughter.”  Marlys calls Pascual her “boyfriend.”  They have an ongoing date on Saturdays to watch a movie at her new joint.  Karen is okay with this.

His oldest son Randy married a blonde hair, blue eyed beauty and they raised little Max together.  Randy and Diana purchased the family cabin on Gunn Lake and have spent many years enjoying the continued memories it brings as well as making many improvements.  Randy got the “engineer” fever and followed in his Dad’s footsteps.  The big difference is Randy starts and finishes his projects.  J

His youngest son, Tom, did the ultimate thing of all time…   He had the one and ONLY grandchild, Brady!  Therefore, Tom wins.  His love for Brady was immense and I know he’s looking over Tom and Brady from heaven.

Marlys has moved into assisted living and has kept such a smile on her face through thick and thin.  She is the BINGO champion, enjoys many activities, loves visitors, and her new “posse” of lady friends at Cherrywood Pointe in Roseville, MN.  After raising at least 4 billion of other people's children in her day care center, she needs a vacation!  She is truly an inspiration to our family!

The world will never be the same without you, Dad.  You are so missed, very loved and forever appreciated!  We truly know that if the world had more fathers, brothers, sons, husbands like you…  it would be a better place. 

Memorial service will be held on July 30th, 2016 at 11am.
Redeemer Covenant Church
7801 Brooklyn Blvd., Brooklyn Park
(763-561-8769) .

Luncheon to follow at church