Eloise M. Barnard

Eloise Mae Barnard, age 90, of Good Thunder, passed away Monday, June 3, 2019 at Mapleton Community Home in Mapleton, MN.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Friday June 7, 2019, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Good Thunder with Fr. Andrew Vogel, officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 – 11 a.m., Friday, prior to the mass at the church. Interment will be in Barnard’s Valley View Cemetery. Mankato Mortuary is handling the arrangements. Memorials are preferred to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church or donor’s choice.

Eloise was born October 12, 1928, to Kenneth and Eva (McCormick) Crane. She was raised on a farm in Garden City and later in rural Good Thunder. She graduated from Good Thunder High School in 1946, then attended Mankato Commercial College for one year. Eloise married William “Bill” Barnard on August 16, 1950.

Between 1952-1956 Eloise and Bill lived in many U.S. cities while Bill served in the Air Force, after which they took up farming in Good Thunder. Deciding to adopt, they added David, Julie, and Paul to the family between 1958-1961. Eloise was mainly a stay-at-home mom, but also worked at Shari Candies, and managed E&L FitzSimmons Antiques. After the children were grown she worked for Midwest Electric, retiring in 1990. She was a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and participated in the Good Thunder Sewing Club for many years. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and computer solitaire in her spare time. Eloise and Bill valued time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren and had previously enjoyed road trips to Florida, California, and the western U.S.

Eloise is survived by son, David (Dee) of Edwardsville, IL and their children, Dr. Emily Barnard (Dr. Ross Puffer) of Rochester, Benjamin (Jacqui) of Hopkins, and Christian Fredericks of Edwardsville, IL; daughter, Julie (Bruce) Zastrow of Duluth and their children, Guy (Britny) of Truman and children Levi, Ethan, and Talin, Yahna (Andy) Zaharia of Great Falls, MT, Micah of Mankato, Claire (fiancé Benjamin Moldan, Jr.) of Good Thunder, and great-grandaughter, Skyabellin Langford of Winnebago; son, Paul (Rhonda) of Good Thunder and their children, Bradley of Mankato, Aaron (Shaina) of Good Thunder and children, Hadlie, Brooks, and Landen, Amanda (Adam) Stencel and son, Brody of Minnesota Lake, and Jacob (Carly Lloyd) of Mapleton and daughter Jacklyn. She is also survived by sisters, Delores Traetow of Bloomington and Donna Heins of Good Thunder; sister-in-law, Marge Barnard of Mankato; along with many nieces and nephews.

Eloise was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bill; brothers, Hugh, Allan, and Kenneth Crane, Jr.; sisters-in-law, Edna Crane, Audrey Crane, and Rosanne Barnard; brothers-in-law, Harry and George Barnard, Laverne Traetow, and Russell “Bud” Heins.