From the Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, December 21, 2013: Allan P. Barnum, 75, passed away on December 19, 2013. The funeral service is on Monday, December 23 at Faith Lutheran Church in Clive.
Al was born on December 9, 1938 in Callender, IA to Floyd and Lennice Barnum. He graduated from Callender High School in 1956 and attended Iowa Central Community College and University of Iowa. He married Shirley A. Hanson in 1958 and later divorced. Al worked as a stockbroker for over 30 years in both Iowa and Minnesota. He owned a small souvenir shop in Nisswa, MN for several years called "The Totem Pole". He married Mary (Swisher) Ballantine on May 1, 1982 and settled in Des Moines. Al opened his own business, Barnum Floors in 1995 and worked with his daughter, Kathy and son, Gary until his death.
Al will be remembered for his intense love and devotion to family, his gregarious personality, his love of history and a good debate, especially if it involved politics. He loved to travel with his wife, Mary and close friends; and to Costa Rica with his daughter, Kelly. Al never met a stranger. He was a mentor to many in business and was a father figure to others throughout his life. He was frugal - yet beyond generous. He was a longtime member of Faith Lutheran Church in Clive, National Wood Flooring Association, West Des Moines Kiwanis, and the Westside Conservative Club.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Mary Barnum; children, Kathryn (Kelm Brueschke) Barnum, Gary (Sandy Fulton) Barnum, Kelly Barnum Lackman; step-children, Lisa (Jerry) Budde, John Ballantine and Amy (Shane) Smock; grandchildren, Madison, Amberle (Travis), Faith, Ella, Aubrey, Kyra, Eva, Angela, Carson, and Shane; great-grandchildren, Trinity and Ariana; sister-in-law, Gloria Barnum; nieces, Suzie (Tom) and Jeannie (Jeff).
Al was preceded in death by his father, Floyd in 2002; his mother, Lennice in 2006; and his brother, Robert G. Barnum in 2011.