Marjorie "Marge" Ann Barnard

Marjorie “Marge” Ann Barnard, age 95, of Good Thunder, passed away peacefully at Laurels Edge Health Care Center in Mankato on March 26, 2021.

Due to pandemic protocol a private family service will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Good Thunder, MN, with Rev. Rudolph H. Maurer, Jr. officiating on April 14. Burial will be in Barnard’s Valley View Cemetery in Good Thunder. Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Marge was born on August 28, 1925, to Carl and Lena (Nelson) Heins on the family farm near Good Thunder.  Marjorie attended country school through the eighth grade.  After graduating from Good Thunder High School she attained her teaching license from Mankato Teachers College and taught briefly in Bricelyn before her marriage. She married Harry Barnard on June 25, 1946. Together, she and Harry were lifelong farmers where they raised their three boys.  Marge volunteered as a reading teacher at St. John Lutheran Parochial School, served many years with the St. John’s Ladies’ Aid, taught Sunday school, was a member of the Good Thunder PTA and the Good Thunder Sewing Club. Marge loved nature--especially fox hunting and fishing with Harry--bird watching, playing and watching sports, restoring antique furniture, gardening, cooking, baking, and enjoying time with her family and her church.

Marge is survived by three sons and their families: Tom (Anna) of Lakeville and their children--Christa (Mike) Close of Medina and children, Caitlyn, Zachary, and Maxwell, Matt (Kristen) Barnard of Steamboat Springs, CO, and children, Ellery and Landry; and Sarah (Bryant) Blake of Rock Springs, WY, and children, Madison and Brynlee; Richard "Dick" (Cheryl) of Good Thunder and their children--Tracy (Mike) Johnson of Plymouth and children, Justin, Kyle and Luke; and Kim (Dan) Allen of Kasson and children, Sophie and Garrett; Gary (Mary) of Bemidji and their children--Adam (Emily) of Blackduck and children, Riley, Jordin, and Ashton; Joe (Joyce) of Good Thunder and children, Deacon and Donavon; and Katie (Ethan) Rogers of Bemidji; two brothers, Harry and Henry Heins; one brother-in-law, Jim Biddle; one sister-in-law, Donna Heins; and many nieces and nephews.

Marge was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-nine years, Harry; grandson, Jeff; great-grandson, Evan; brothers, sisters, and in-laws--Edward and Delores Heins, Russell and Dorothy Eberhart, Russell “Bud” Heins, Shirley Schuldt Biddle, Lavonne Heins, Janice Heins, Jerome Schuldt, Bill and Eloise Barnard, and George and Rosanne Barnard. 

Marge’s family sends special thanks to the staff at Laurels Edge and Moments Hospice for her loving care.  Condolences may be sent to Box 156, Good Thunder, MN  56037.