John "Jack" Joseph Barta, 73, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, August 18, 2019 in his home.  Memorial Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 24, 2019, at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Norway with Fr. Ardel Barta and Msgr. James Barta celebrating.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, August 23, 2019, at the Church. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery near Fairfax.  Full military rites will be conducted by the Norway American Legion.

John was born September 18, 1945 in Cedar Rapids, the son of Donald L. and Evelyn M. (Schulte) Barta.   He was raised on the family farm in rural Norway.  He farmed the land for eight years during his last years of high school and all of college.  He served in the Army Ready Reserves.  He graduated from Regis High School and Loras College. After graduation he went to work at Square D Company in the Engineering Department.  He was united in marriage to Linda Longmore in 1977.  They were later divorced. In late 1970, he left the farm and transferred to Lincoln, Nebraska to establish a new manufacturing facility.  Five years later he transferred to the Oxford Ohio Square D plant as an Industrial Engineering manager.  In 1994, he moved back to Lincoln, Nebraska to the Advanced Manufacturing Automation Group.  He retired in 2000.  He enjoyed gardening, motorcycles, flying, winemaking and many outdoor activities.  Jack loved Nebraska Husker football and looked forward to them beating the Hawkeyes this year.  He was active in the Knights of Columbus, Jaycees, and Oxford Civil Service Commission.  He enjoyed traveling, both foreign and domestic.   After retirement, he moved back to Iowa and got reacquainted with the farm.  He considered himself the "unofficial Farm Manager" for his best friend Gary Stallman.

Jack is survived by his son Jeff (Tricia) Barta of Hermitage, Tennessee; two granddaughters Hayley and Kelsey Barta; his sister Marsha Barta and spouse Don Damsteegt of Cedar Rapids; his loving companion Barbara Myers of Cedar Rapids.  He is also survived by a bunch of clowns.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Robert Barta who died in the Vietnam Conflict.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.