Barbara Holmquist

In Memory of Barbara Eva Holmquist (Koehler) Barbara was born April 30, 1929 in Pine Lake Township, Otter Tail County, MN. She passed away peacefully at Regions Hospital on February 7, 2021 at the age of 91. She was the sixth of twelve children born to Bruno and Lucy (Bujarski) Koehler. Hers was a busy farm family where work responsibilities were shared by everyone. Barbara began helping prepare family meals at age 12 and is probably how she developed her outstanding work ethic. She truly enjoyed having a task or job before her and couldn’t wait to get at it. A former employer once told Barbara that she didn’t just look at work, she attacked it. Barbara began grade school at the little country Pine Lake School and then moved on to St. Henry’s Parochial School in nearby Perham, MN and graduated from Perham High School in 1947. The summer after graduating, she got a job at Big Pine Resort on Big Pine Lake. It was here that she met another summer employee named Orville Holmquist. Barbara and Orville were married in the rectory of St. Henry’s Roman Catholic Church of Perham on June 15, 1948. Barbara and Orville were married 64 years until Orville’s passing in 2012. Whatever outward beauty Barbara possessed was nothing compared to the beauty and goodness that lived within her. To be with her meant to be with someone in whom you could always trust for love, support and sound advice. She was a person who was loyal and true. Nothing made Barbara happier than taking care of others and knowing that their wellbeing was secure. She was a true Christian woman who prayed every day of her life. She loved to entertain family and friends and prepared countless wonderful meals enjoyed by everyone nearly her entire life. She was an outstanding seamstress, taught sewing and had the ability to make anywhere feel like home. And, she never met a cross word puzzle she didn’t like. Barbara was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and aunt. She is survived by her daughter Jeanne (John) Buck, son William Holmquist, grandchildren Emily (Scott) Hansen and Julia (Ryan) Donnelly. Great grandchildren Anthony, Rowan, Evelyn and Elliott. A sister, Edna Provancha of Omaha, NE and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Orville, parents Bruno and Lucy Koehler, six brothers and four sisters. A private family funeral service will be held on Friday, February 19, 2021 at 11:00 am at St. Mary of the Lake parish at 4690 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN. A burial ceremony will be held in June at St. Mary of the Lake cemetery in White Bear Lake. A reception will follow at the Danish American Center in Minneapolis. Notices of the reception will be sent out. Memorials preferred to the Danish American Center, 3030 W River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55406. ( Please state Barbara Holmquist Memorial on memo line of check). LIVESTREAM LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbW8rDxsl3o