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.

DeJong-Printy Funeral Home of Keokuk is in charge of arrangements.