Barbara Jean (Kespohl) Bakeberg, 83, of Howard Lake, MN, formerly of Waverly, died peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022, at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis following a brief illness.
Barb was born on June 19, 1939, to Clarence and Helen (Galvin) Kespohl. She was the oldest of four children including Patrick, Sharon and Ann.
Barb graduated from Buffalo High School in 1957.
She was joined in holy matrimony to Vernon Bakeberg on May 17, 1958. They lived on the family farm in Woodland Township where Barbara remained until 2016.
Barb moved to the Heritage Square Senior Apartments in Howard Lake where she enjoyed building gatherings. She created many wonderful relationships with her neighbors, where they looked after one another.
She enjoyed many hobbies including gardening, and her favorite was cooking for others.
Barb spent many years working at Marketplace in Cokato, MN.
She was proud of her Irish heritage and enjoyed her three trips to Ireland.
Barb was a devoted Catholic and enjoyed sharing her faith by regularly volunteering to deliver the Eucharist at Ridgeview Hospital and the Cokato Nursing Home. She went on several trips to Lourdes in France with her daughter Donna and was able to attend a mass with Pope Benedict. She was honored when she obtained her medal for five years of volunteer services at Lourdes.
She was preceded in death by husband Vernon; son Ron; her parents; brother Pat and his wife Sandy; son-in-law David Schliep; and brother-in-law Bob DeWolfe.
Barb is survived by her sisters Sharon Bateman and Ann DeWolfe; her children Donna, Robert (Gale), Ralph (Patty), Denise Schliep and Rande (Kim); 16 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waverly on Friday, September 16th from 4-8 p.m. with prayers at 7:30 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place Saturday, September 17th at 10:30 a.m. with visitation from 9:30 – 10:15 AM at St. Mary’s, Father Kenneth O’Hotto and Deacon Ralph Bakeberg will be officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow.
Private interment at Howard Lake Cemetery.
Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, MN www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-543-3401