Barrett Lagerquist, 80

Former Kellogg resident Barrett D. Lagerquist went home to his Lord Nov. 11 in Portland, Ore. Barrett was born Jan. 29, 1944, in Williston, N.D., to Ture and Seene Lagerquist. After birth, he was taken home to Westby, Mont., where he was raised until his later teen years. Barrett collected many comic books he would buy as a kid at the local store in Westby. He enjoyed all the time he spent with his grandparents at the family farm in Reserve, Mont. He would eventually make his way to Kellogg, Idaho, with his mom, stepfather Paul Gunderson and brother Paul. He graduated from Kellogg High School in 1962. 

Barrett has a daughter from his first marriage, Melissa, and later met the love of his life, Judy, and married May 14, 1971. He welcomed his firstborn son, Kenny, on March 28, 1972, and later welcomed his second-born son, Brian, on Feb. 3, 1975. Barrett was a true family man, a constant source of support and encouragement throughout his life, not solely to his family but to many who were lucky enough to be in his life. His children were his life, and he was their biggest fan (along with Judy) in everything they did, including the many sports they participated in and every endeavor they took throughout their lives. He was very proud of his boys and never hesitated to brag about them. 

Barrett worked many jobs in the Kellogg area. Two such positions were being a Kellogg police officer for 5½ years and then moving to a purchasing agent position with the Lucky Friday Mine in Mullan, Idaho, where he worked for 12 years. In September of 1986, Barrett moved his family to Helena, Mont., after taking a purchasing manager position with Montana Tunnels Mining Inc., where he worked for 12 years, before taking a co-manager position with Holiday Retirement with his wife, Judy, at Hunters Pointe in Helena. After moving around to different facilities with Holiday Retirement, they finally settled in the Portland, Ore., area after Judy’s cancer diagnosis in the summer of 2000. After Judy’s passing, Barrett continued managing for Holiday Retirement in Vancouver, Wash., before his retirement in 2006. 

On Oct. 2, 2005, Barrett married Susan Steffen. She brought with her two daughters, Liz (husband Craig) and children Hayden and Charlotte, and Kim (husband Christian) and son Hugh. They were by each other's sides until his passing.

After retirement, he enjoyed becoming Hayden, Charlotte and Hugh's grandfather. He also enjoyed many fishing trips and Seahawks football games with his sons. His sons became his best friends in their adulthood. One of his favorite times was joining Ken on his annual diesel truck convoy trip to Mt. Saint Helens. It was his time to bond with his oldest son, whom he lived far away from for many years. Barrett loved basketball and became an avid Portland Trailblazers fan, right there with his son, Brian. A true fan he was, indeed. Barrett and his son, Brian, also had a love for the movies and would often go and spend the afternoon together. 

Barrett had a passion for books. He was a very knowledgeable man, and some of that was due to his love of reading. It was not uncommon for Barrett to read two to three books at a time, and he did not stick to a certain genre. Barrett always had a thirst for knowledge, and it was evident in the books he read. He often would hand down books to his sons he felt they should read. 

Barrett was preceded in death by his father, Ture; mother Seene; stepfather Paul; wife Judy; and sister-in-law Darlene. Survivors include his daughter, Melissa; sons Ken (wife Heidi and kids Kailey, Ally and Jackson) and Brian, his wife, Susan; stepdaughters Liz (husband Craig, kids Hayden and Charlotte) and Kim (husband Christian and son Hugh); brother Paul, cousins, multiple nephews and nieces and great-nephews/nieces.   

The service and reception will be held Jan. 4, 2025, at the Country Barn B&B, 18500 S. Old Lane Road, Cataldo, ID 83810.