Elmer Frank Barlow

Elmer Frank Barlow, 88, of Keokuk, passed away on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at
his home in Keokuk, Iowa.
Elmer was born on July 10, 1937, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the son of Elmer and Clara
(Zaun) Barlow. On September 15, 1956, he was united in marriage to his childhood
sweetheart Rosalie “Rosie” Ann Peterson in St. Paul Park, Minnesota. They celebrated
sixty-nine wonderful years together. She survives.
Elmer was a member of Calvary Foursquare Church in Keokuk and began working at
Armour-Dial in 1959, working there for forty-one years until his retirement in 2000. He
was instrumental in the development and implementation of carbon blades at the
factory, saving the company numerous hours and thousands of dollars in production
throughout the years. Elmer was a gearhead his entire life, building and racing cars and
riding motorcycles. He built a 1948 Indian Chief from the ground up, and rode his Honda
Goldwing countless miles throughout the United States. His love of all things
mechanical began at the age of fifteen, when he was working in a salvage yard. While
employed there, he built his first dirt track race car. In 1957, he became the inaugural
winner at the Cedar Lake Speedway in Wisconsin. Throughout the years of racing in
Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, Elmer and Rosie made lifelong friends and were
beloved by all who knew them both on and off the track. His love of Bluegrass music
and camping took the family on trips throughout the Bluegrass music circuit, where he
became a regular face. Elmer’s life stands as a testament to his faith and his family.
Elmer is survived by his wife Rosie Barlow of Keokuk; three children: Carrie Feil of
Burlington, Iowa, Patti (Tom) Dombrock of Peterson, Minnesota, and Ricky (Beth)
Barlow of Keokuk, Iowa; eight grandchildren: Linda (John) Peacher, Christina (Dustin)
Nelson, Patrick (Rae) Renlund, Jason Davis, Jacob Thompson, Ricky Barlow, Jr.
(Fiancé Jill Thomas), Kayleigh Barlow (Bob Houseweart) and Braeden Barlow (Fiance
Cheyenne Kammerer); eleven great-grandchildren: Brittney (Darek), Andrew (Hailey),
Cole (Madalyn), Maggie, Molly, Elaina, Chase, Connor, Colton, Katherine and Jaiden;
five great-great-grandchildren: Addalyn, Parker, Liam, Wyatt and William; and several
nieces, nephews and cousins.
Elmer is preceded in death by his parents; four siblings: Alice Frank, Ray and Bob; and
his son-in-law Pat.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 pm on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Calvary
Foursquare Church in Keokuk. A memorial service will be held at the church at 4 pm on
Monday, March 23, directly following the visitation. A private family burial will be held at
Hickory Grove Cemetery in Keokuk.

Memorials may be directed to Calvary Foursquare Church in Keokuk.
Tributes and condolences may be left at www.printyfuneralhome.com.
DeJong-Printy Funeral Home of Keokuk is in charge of arrangements.