Barbara Ann Barr

Barr, Barbara Ann June 11, 1937 June 9, 2017 Barbara was born June 11, 1937, in Breckenridge, Minnesota, to parents Duncan F. and Helen M. Barr and to older brother, Duncan G. She was named Barbara, but her family and friends always called her "Dolly," a name that stuck throughout her adult life. Born with clubbed hands and scoliosis, Barb railed against being labeled handicapped. No thumbs? So what she learned to type and to play piano. For a couple of decades she volunteered at Northwestern Hospital, where she played the organ for both the ecumenical and the Catholic chapel services each week. She went to elementary and high school in Breckenridge and then attended Concordia College, in Moorhead, and was graduated with a degree in political science. One of her professors mentioned the League of Women Voters, which piqued her interest. She joined the League of Women Voters of Minneapolis and was a faithful member for more than five decades. In 2016 she was honored as a 50-year life-member of the Minneapolis League. Barb worked for 49 years at Employers Mutual Casualty; during the final decades of work, she was an underwriter and in charge of the oil/gas program. Her work life was important to her; it gave her opportunities to learn and to include her work colleagues in her personal life as family. Barbara could do anything she set her mind to doand she could have conquered sewing too, but she just didn't care about it. Barb loved to travel, and she and friends went on trips to other countries, other states, other towns. Whether the trip lasted for a couple of weeks, or just a couple of days, Barb enjoyed seeing new places and meeting people. Wherever Barb went, she collected friends. Barbara never said an unkind word to anyone or about anyone (except some politicians, whom she called "jerks"). A philanthropist at heart, Barbara was a faithful supporter of Concordia College, in Moorhead, and Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, in Minneapolis. Barbara was preceded in death by her father, her mother and her brother, as well as aunts and uncles. She leaves behind friends without number, friends of all ages and walks of life friends who are grateful for the inestimable privilege of calling her "friend." Funeral service 1PM Wednesday, June 14 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 4100 Lyndale Ave. S., Mpls. Visitation one hour prior to service. Interment Mound Cemetery, Ortonville, MN. Memorials to honor Barbara and her amazing life may be made to Concordia College, Moorhead; to Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, Minneapolis; or to the League of Women Voters of Minneapolis. Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Tributes

Barbara Ann Barr

June 9, 2017

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