Dennis Dean Barnes of Norwich, Kansas was born on June 3, 1969, in Wichita, Kansas to Lester Roy Barnes and Luana Faith (Irwin) Barnes.  He was united in marriage with his wife Kim Koeppen on June 1, 1996, for a lifetime partnership filled with love and happiness.  They were blessed with a daughter, Sydney.

Growing up, Dennis attended school in Wichita, graduating from Heights High School and then obtaining an associate's degree in agriculture from Butler County Community College.  Dennis went on to become a Master Journeyman Electrician completing the IBEW Wichita Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee Program.  He worked for multiple electrical contractors throughout the years and found a home working for Total Electric and TEC Systems Group.

Dennis held so much knowledge and wisdom. Nearly any topic you brought up, he could contribute to the conversation or have a great story to share.  His family, friends, and co-workers often depended on him to bring a solution or make a recommendation, saying, 'let's ask Dennis'.

His interests were broad.  He was a brilliant electrician and could fix just about anything.  He was generous with his talents and would always respond to a neighbor, friend, or stranger in need of help.

Dennis was passionate about agriculture and nature.  While in 4-H as a kid he raised rabbits and sheep.  His dream was to one day have land and build a cattle herd.  Mission accomplished. He was so excited when his daughter Sydney became old enough to become active in 4-H.  He teamed with her to start out with a bucket calf for her to show at the county fair which was the starting point for him to add more cattle over the years.  He enjoyed running cattle with friends whether it was building or mending fence or feeding cubes.  He had a gentle way about him and the cattle would approach him for a scratch on the head.

More recently he became interested in bee keeping and dove right in to learn everything he could, building his own boxes for hives and taking classes and reading all he could.  He loved planting flowers to attract the bees and butterflies and gardening.  He also loved to hunt and fish his entire life.  It was never as much about catching as it was spending that time with friends.  He looked forward every year to the potato run and fishing trip to Colorado he took with the boys.  His favorite places were the plains of Kansas and the mountains of Colorado.

Dennis was a long-time lover and supporter of 4-H.  He grew up in the program and previously served as chairman of the Kingman County Extension Board.  He enjoyed seeing kids get involved and succeed in the life skills that 4-H offered.  A memorial has been established with Kingman County 4-H to help fund kids projects (such as to help buy a bucket calf or supplies for craft or quilting projects) so every kid has the opportunity to grow and learn with 4-H.

Dennis passed away in Wichita on July 19, 2025.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Luana Barnes; and mother-in-law Patricia Koeppen.  He is survived by his wife Kim of Norwich; daughter Sydney (fiancé Landon Russell) of Wichita; in-laws Roger and Dottie Koeppen of Wichita; extended family: Roger Irwin, PhD and his wife Carla Van West, PhD of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, John and Lesha Conrady and family of Plano, Texas, Marc and Jackie Conrady and family of Wichita, Michael Conrady, PhD of Sunnyvale, Texas, Brian and Michele Busse and family of Van Alstyne, Texas; many other friends and extended family.

Friends may view and register from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Funeral Service is 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at the Milton Methodist Church, Milton, Kansas with Pastor Kendal Utt officiating.  Interment to follow at the Attica Cemetery, Attica, Kansas.

Memorials may be made payable to the Kingman County 4-H Council and can be sent in care of the funeral home.

Prairie Rose Funeral Homes, 613 W 14th St ~ Harper, Kansas  67058