Barbara Jean Tollefson, 85, of Fargo, North Dakota, formerly of rural Crookston, Minnesota, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday February 14, 2026 at the Elim Care Center surrounded by her family.

Barbara was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota on May 18, 1940 to Theodore "Ted" Thureen and Sophie Andreson Thureen. Barbara grew up in rural East Grand Forks and attended the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston, Minnesota graduating in1958. She then earned her LPN certification at Bethesda School of Nursing.

It was at NWSA (the AC) that Barbara met and fell in love with Roger.  They were married at Bethany Lutheran Church in rural East Grand Forks, Minnesota on September 10, 1960. So began an almost 65 year partnership grounded in their faith, family, and service to others.

Barbara worked as a nurse at Bethesda Hospital in Crookston and at the Lutheran Deaconess Hospital in Minneapolis. In 1968, the couple moved to Scandia Township where they farmed. As the family grew, Barbara became a devoted homemaker ensuring that her husband and children were always cared for and loved. She loved people and prioritized keeping family members connected. Barbara enjoyed visiting with people and especially loved holding babies and entertaining children. She was a wonderful baker known for her amazing cookies.

Barbara belonged to Trinity Lutheran Church in Beltrami and later was one of the founding members of Resurrection Free Lutheran Church. Barbara's love for Jesus was evident in her gifts of hospitality, prayer and encouragement. She enjoyed her morning Bible study group, morning prayer group, teaching the nursery Sunday school, and being involved with the ministry of Operation Christmas Child and the Gideons Auxiliary.

Barbara is survived by her children, Ruth (Roger) Quanbeck of Hallock, MN; Julie (Kirk) Militzer of Moorhead, MN; Denise (Randy) Erickson of Barnesville, MN; Brenda (Nathan) Richman of Moorhead, MN; David (Shannen) Tollefson of Moorhead, MN; and Sara Hansen of West Fargo, ND.

She was a loving grandmother to Tressa (Micah) Bengston; Stephen (Stephanie) Quanbeck; Danielle (Matt) Casperson; Carissa (Paul) Eikom; Tori (Brett) Hanson; Joshua Militzer; Peder (Taylor) Erickson; Rachel (Alex) Woodworth; Ryan Richman; Josiah (Annie) Militzer; Elizabeth Erickson; Hannah Hansen; Abby Erickson; Ashley (Thomas) Zwiers; Ethan (Eden) Hansen; Sophie Hansen; Esther Hansen; and Scott (Cassie) Lantz.

She delighted in her great-grandchildren: Bjorne, Svea, Rorik, Charles, Everett, Bennett, Eleanor, Teddy, Elliot, Rose, Jane, Elsie, Jack, William, Reese, Brynn, Brooks, Ava June, Judah, Quinn, Lotte, Corban, and Gavin.

Barbara is survived by her sister, Elaine Evenson; brother, Curtis (Sharon) Thureen; sisters-in-law, Doris Desautels, Joyce Vogt; brothers-in-laws, Raymond (Marian) Tollefson, Paul (Elaine) Tollefson.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years, Roger; parents, Ted and Sophie Thureen; brother, Dennis (Diane) Thureen; brothers-in-law, Harvey Evenson, Bert (Anita) Tollefson, Russell (Darlene) Tollefson, Dwain (Nancy) Tollefson, Fred Desautels, Leonard Vogt; sisters-in-law, Donna Tollefson, Marian Tollefson.

 Barbara's family will celebrate her life with a funeral service on Saturday February 28, 2026 at Resurrection Free Lutheran Church in Beltrami at 10:00 am. Visitation will be Friday February 27 at Resurrection Free Lutheran Church from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm. A prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Resurrection Free Lutheran Church in Beltrami, MN or Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child Contact Samaritan's Purse.