Neal Barber, age 93, of Wessington Springs, died Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Weskota Manor. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 27, 2025, at Foothills Bible Fellowship Church in Wessington Springs. Burial followed at Prospect Hill Cemetery. Visitation was held from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, also at the church with a prayer service beginning at 4 p.m. Roland Neal Barber was born in Mitchell, SD, to Alvin and Ethyl Barber on July 4, 1932. He grew up on the family farm west of Wessington Springs, SD. He passed away on October 22, 2025 at Weskota Manor Avera.
Neal attended school in a one room country schoolhouse where he rode his bike or walked to school since he didn’t want to ride his sister’s horse.
Neal attended Wessington Springs High School for two years then transferred to SDSU in Brookings, SD for the Agricultural Farming Program where he graduated in 1950. While attending school in Brookings, he and his friends would enjoy many “Nicks” hamburgers.
After graduating he moved back to the family farm. He purchased land from Merle Winegar to start his adventure in farming with his dad Alvin, in February 1950. To this day the farm is still operated as a family farm.
1951 is when Neal met his future wife Verla Caffee. Neal came to the Caffee farm many times to pick up her brother Don. She always said they were girl hunting but neither would admit it. Eventually he noticed that quiet girl, Verla. In the summer of 1951 at the Old Settler’s Picnic Verla and her friend were walking back to the tent after the horse races when he pulled up in a car and asked her if she would go to the show that evening. This was the start of a twoyear courtship, many of these dates with friends, Vern and Jessie Speck. They eloped in Pipestone, MN on October 10, 1953 because Neal wanted to be married before he left for Korea nine days later. Thus starting a 72-year-old love story.
When Neal arrived in Korea, he met his lifelong buddy, Pete Dekoter. Neal’s first assignment was guarding prisoners at Geoje POW camp in South Korea. Then he was assigned to the motor pool as a mechanic and a driver for the commanding officers in Busan, South Korea. Neal was discharged at the rank of Sergeant arriving home to his farm on December 24, 1954 where he and Verla started their life together. Neal was always a farmer at heart, lived and raised his 4 children on that farm. Neal believed in serving his community and county. He was a county commissioner from 1987-2000, Prospect Hill Cemetery caretaker for many years and treasurer for the Jerauld County Farm Bureau for 16 years.
Neal also had a love for the lord and for Templeton Church where he also served on many board positions.
Neal and Verla owned and operated the Round-Up Drive Inn for 21 years. First as a drive up with car hops then a year-round fast food restaurant in 1978. They moved to town and turned the care of the farm over to their son. After selling the Round-Up in 1998 he went to work at the FSA office laying fabric for tree planters. He wasn’t quite ready to fully retire and became a custodian at the Wessington Springs Elementary School until he turned 80 years old.
Neal and Verla enjoyed many trips after they sold the drive-in. Many of them on their Gold Wing motorcycle. They didn’t miss the Sturgis Motorcycle rally where they would stay at the family cabin outside of Deadwood. So many family memories are at that cabin and hunting trips with friends and family too. Anytime he could spend with his grandkids was what he wanted.
Neal enjoyed woodworking making many things for the kids, grandkids, friends and community members. Some of you may have a picture frame in your home.
Neal also loved puzzles. He always had a puzzle on the table for anyone to come and visit and put in a few pieces.
Neal was preceded in death by his parents, sister Darlene (Barber) Peterson, his brother Glen, great granddaughter Addison Keller, brothers-in-law Don Caffee, Lawrence Caffee, Harlan (Bud) Riesland and Don Peterson. Sistersin- law Darlene Reisland and Ada Caffee, and Steve Page (Susan’s permanent Fiance).
Grateful for sharing his life with them are his wife Verla, his children; Diane (Ed) Fraley of Kosse, TX, Herb (Julie) Barber of Wessington Springs, Susan Aldrich, Mitchell, SD and Ellen (Richard) Powell of Wessington Springs, 11 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. Brothersin- law, Les Caffee, Roland (Jeri) Caffee and sister-inlaw Marlene Caffee.
Arrangements are with Nurnberg-Basham Funeral Service.
