Elaine Barrett

Dates

Obituary

Elaine Barrett, 67, of Mitchell, SD, died Friday, February 18, 2022, at her home under hospice care in Mitchell. A Celebration of Life will be from 1-4:00 PM Saturday, February 26, in South Pointe Apartments’ Community Room in Sioux Falls. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Elaine Jeanette Uhl was born at home in rural Fayetteville, WV on December 14, 1954, to Sherman and Norma Uhl. Her family moved to Chicago around 1959 when she was 5 years old. Elaine was the oldest child. She had three younger sisters, Darlene, Sandra, and Sherry, and one brother, Chip. She attended high school at Lake View High School. She met Michael Barrett through his sister Susan, who was already friends with Elaine. Michael and Elaine started dating and were soon engaged. They were married at the United Pentecostal Church in Chicago on April 13, 1975. They were excited to start a family, and had three children over the next 4 years. 

Elaine enjoyed staying home raising the children and helping Mike with their heating and cooling business. Elaine was a wonderful, loving mother who was soft-spoken and rarely complained. She liked to cook for her family and was always there to listen and care for her loved ones. Her faith was extremely important to her and the love of Jesus radiated through her to everyone who came in contact with her.

Michael and Elaine relocated to Mitchell, SD in Fall 1985. They wanted a safer place and slower pace to raise their children and run their business. They also wanted to be closer to family in the area. 

As the kids got older, Elaine took on some part-time jobs. She worked in the kitchen at the Mitchell Middle School for a while and eventually worked as a CNA at Firesteel Healthcare Center. She later worked at Brady Memorial and then at an assisted living center called Tender Hearts (a/k/a Prairie Home Assisted Living). 

After she suffered a stroke in 2009, the roles in the marriage quickly reversed. Mike began caring for Elaine as her abilities were significantly decreased. Through all the difficult times, though, Mike and Elaine’s love for each other was constant and very evident. Their favorite things to do together were to make trips to Sioux Falls to meet up with family or friends, shop, get massages, and go out to eat together.

Elaine has had an impact on many with her sweet smile, generous hugs, kind words, and strong faith in God. She was so full of love and her memory will be cherished by all her loved ones.

She is survived by her husband of 46 ½ years, Michael Barrett; children: Michelle Noble, Mark (Amber) Barrett, and Teena Barrett. She is also survived by ten grandchildren: (Michelle’s children) Tyler Constant, Michela Fredrickson, Caitlin Noble; (Mark’s children) Zane, Connor, and Zoe Barrett; and (Teena’s children) Desiree Apgar, Dylan Fink, Danielle Barrett, and David Barrett. She has also been blessed with three great-grandchildren: Easton, Charlee and Sofia.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Sherman and Norma Uhl, and sisters, Darlene Kelly, Sandra Scallion, and Sharon Barker.

Elaine is rejoicing in heaven with Jesus and is no longer limited by her disability or hindered by the worries of this world. We look forward to being reunited with her again someday! 

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