Stephen J. Barse, 73, passed away on Thursday, September 15, 2022 after an extended illness. He was born on September 12, 1949 in Riverside, CA to Harold and Augustine (Campbell) Barse. He went to high school in Arkansas City and later to Cowley County Jr. College. He received his bachelor’s degree from Central State University in Edmond, and later received his master’s degree from the University of South Dakota.
He married Mary Gottsleben on August 10, 1976 in Sisseton, SD. Steve has three children, Jamie, Matthew and Laura.
Throughout his life, Steve served the Native community by working with the Sisseton/Wahpeton Dakota Tribe, OU College of Public Health, Association of American Indian Physicians, American Indian Research & Development, Oklahoma City Area Indian Health Service, and the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic.
He was also a writer of Native stories including a YA novel based on his father’s life, a book of short stories and numerous fictional, religious and educational articles.
But probably his greatest joy was the Urban Indian 5 artist group and the Urban Indian 5 Association non profit organization which he started with the mission of inspiring wellness among Native people through art.
Steve enjoyed going to movies, watching the Thunder, and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s activities.
He was a member of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma and a descendent of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes and the Dakota Nation.
He is survived by his wife, Mary of the home in Norman, and his daughter Jamie Barse of Shawnee, OK, son Matthew Barse and partner Brittany Winston of Oklahoma City, and daughter Laura Barse Anderson and husband Kurt of Atlanta, GA, brothers John Barse and wife Lynnette of Rapid City, SD and Marcus Barse of Colorado, sister-in-law Leslie Barse of Norman. Five grandchildren: Preston Barse, Jayden Brown, Quincie Barse-Presson, Talee Bishop Anderson and Josie Anderson plus his three nieces and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Augustine Barse and brother Harold Barse.
Funeral service: Monday, September 19, 2022, 10:30 am, Norman First American UMC, 1950 Beaumont Dr., Norman, OK 73071.
Officiating: Justine Wilson
Graveside Services: Monday, September 19, 2022, 1:15 pm, Memory Lane Cemetery, Anadarko, OK
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Norman First American United Methodist Church, 1950 Beaumont Dr., Norman, OK, 73071