Barbara Barrie

Barbara Ann Barrie, age 81, died on Saturday, December 26, 2020 in North Mankato, Minnesota.

Funeral Mass will be held 11:00am, Saturday, January 2, 2020 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Mankato. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Loyola Catholic Schools or St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Northview-North Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family.

Barbara was born on January 4, 1939 in Slayton, Minnesota to Richard and Abigail Earhart. She was the eldest of 8 children.

Barbara moved to Currie, Minnesota in 1955 with her family where she attended Immaculate Heart of Mary High School and met the love of her life, Dale Barrie. They married on October 11, 1958. 

Barbara and Dale moved to Mankato where they raised their six children. Together they built a full life that included owning and operating lunch mobiles, a liquor store, and being extremely active in their churches, Ss. Peter and Paul and St. John the Baptist. 

As the children started leaving home, Barbara began a successful house cleaning business. After an 8-year run, she then started a job as a proofreader at Carlson Craft, which she enjoyed for 15 years before retirement. 

Volunteering was an important part of her life. She put her skills to work at Birthright, the Mankato Food Shelf, Simon Ministries, taking communion to the homebound, the St. John’s funeral choir and countless other ministries through St. John’s.

Barbara loved people and entertaining. Whether it was a dinner party, card club, or a simple cup of coffee, you were always welcome in her home. And the cookie jar was always full. 

Barbara was an excellent cook and baker, a trait passed down to many of the children and grandchildren. A tradition she started nearly 30 years ago was an annual Christmas Cookie Day that not only produced delicious treats, but an incredible amount of laughter and joy.

Barbara’s favorite hobbies included reading, quilting, crocheting, and winning at cards. 

What she loved most of all was being married to Dale for 62 years. Their love and devotion was an example for all.

Barbara is survived by her dear husband, Dale; children, Jackie (Tony) Spano, Steve (Mary) Barrie, Mike (Lynn) Barrie, Joan (Gary) Daigle, Ann (Trent) Schull, and Jennifer (Brette) Hjelle; siblings, Jeanette (William) Beck, Ceila (Jerry) Wright, Eline (Bernie) Merten, Dennis (Paula) Earhart, and Gene (Ellen) Earhart; grandchildren, Claire, Matt, Sarah, Spencer, Sydney, Christopher, Ali, Sam, Ben, Kate, Alex, Annika, Jack, and Daniel; and great-grandchildren, Evie, Rosie and Millie. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Michael Earhart; and sister, Patricia Dempsey. 

Barbara’s family would like to give a special thank you to those who cared for her at Oak Terrace Assisted Living in North Mankato.