Leo "Lee" Barrette

Leo “Lee” Damien Barrette, age 82, of Mineral Point, WI entered eternal life January 18, 2013. He was welcomed home by his wife of nearly 60 years, Kathryn A. (Sherman) Barrette. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, January 28 at Sts. Mary & Paul Catholic Church in Mineral Point, WI, with Fr. Monte Robinson officiating. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Lee was born November 24, 1930 in Eastman, WI. He attended St. Gabriel’s School in Prairie du Chien, WI until joining the U.S. Navy at age 17. Lee served his country aboard the USS Rich, where he and his shipmates fought to maintain a line of defense during the Korean War.
Lee married Kathy Sherman November 10, 1954. They made their home in Mineral Point, WI around 1961. Their union produced 11 children: David, Jeff, Gregg, Mike, Robert, Wendy, Paul, Donald, Mara (Tami), Brenda and Trish.
Lee could fix anything, but was known around Mineral Point for fixing televisions. He had a love of fishing, reading, building airplanes and other mechanical items, doing crossword puzzles, taking long drives, eating ice cream with butterscotch (or caramel) and visiting with family and friends over coffee. Lee was also an avid Morel mushroom “hunter” and in his later years he enjoyed watching birds and squirrels in his back yard.
Lee had a smile for everyone and would give the shirt off of his back, even if he had none. He was very proud of his Native American ancestry and gave generously to the Lakota children at St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, SD. He was very proud of his French Canadian Heritage, as well. Lee loved life, and even though his journey was often a painful one, he always had a smile to share and a joke to tell.
Lee was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy; a son, Mike; an infant son, Robert; his sisters, Rosemary Stephens, Loretta Koecke, Alice Barth and Grace McGill; his brothers, Don and Robert Barrette; and his parents, Roland and Emma (Phillips) Barrette.
He is survived by his children, David Barrette of Strausburg, VA, Jeff (Lynn Hopkins) Barrette of Madison, WI, Gregg (Bev Bryant) Barrette of Everett, WA, Wendy (Phil) Norton of Waukon, Paul (Tina) Barrette of Mineral Point, WI, Don (Kathy Frigge) Barrette of Waunakee, WI, Mara (Andrew) Jensen of Madison, WI, Brenda (Mark) Nelson of Darlington, WI, and Trish (Dennis Kron) Barrette of Sun Prairie, WI; his grandchildren, Adam, Matt (Jen), and Ashley Barrette; Amanda (Aaron) Cavanaugh, John, Rupert and Lauren Hopkins; Tatum (TJ) Iverson and Callissa Norton; and Jordan, Ethan and Nolan Barrette; his brother, Phil; his sisters, Marie Jenson, Joey Donnahoe and Virginia Powell; and many nieces, nephews and friends.