Ernest Robert Barfknecht Jr. “Joe” age 71 of Delano passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2019. He was born September 11, 1947 in Watertown, Minnesota to Ernest and Myrna (Zitzloff) Barfknecht Sr.

Ernie was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He graduated from Mound High School and went onto serve in the Army. Ernie served 20 years in the Army before being Honorably Discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was united in marriage to Iris Listmann in Germany. After Iris passed away he married Liliane Manuela Grutzmacher in 1980 and they made their home in rural Delano.

After leaving the military, Ernie went into the trucking industry and drove over the road until his retirement in 2010. His hobbies were farming, fishing and spending time outdoors.

Ernie was preceded in death by his wife Iris; parents Ernest and Myrna Barfknecht Sr, brothers Dale and Phil Barfknecht; sister Joann Barfknecht. He is survived by his wife Liliane; children Thomas Mueller, Susanne Barfknecht, Stefan (Lynda) Mueller, Roland Barfknecht, Belinda (Raymond) Salden, Belinda Fisher, Jochen Mueller; 12 grandchildren Jenessa, Jennifer, T.J., Noel, Tobias, Kylie, Braxton, Devon, Krista, Connor, Rachel, Ethan; 2 great grandchildren Justin and Christopher; brother Robin (Maryann) Barfknecht.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 11 a.m. at the Iten Funeral Home in Delano, Minnesota. Visitation was from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday prior to the services. A reception followed at the Delano American Legion.

Interment services with Military Honors took place on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. in Assembly Area #2 at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.