Obituary of Kathleen Ethel Barbour

Kathleen (Cass) Ethel Barbour 

May 23, 1932 – August 25, 2024

Kathleen was a caring, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, neighbor and friend.  She died peacefully at home at age 92. Kathleen was preceded in death by father Max Merkel, mother Agnes Merkel, brothers Eugene Merkel, Rueben Merkel, Richard Merkel, Jack Merkel, sisters Delores Seger, Rosemary Walsh, children Judith Barbour, Jeffrey Barbour, and husband Robert Barbour. Kathleen is survived by daughter Jane (Richard) Kreyer and brother Robert Merkel.  Kathleen is also survived by her two grandchildren Robert Kreyer and Megan (Bryon) Allen, and great-granddaughter Tegan Allen. Kathleen was born in Marshfield Wisconsin and lived on the family farm.  She loved the farm and had many stories of growing up with multiple generations in the house.  As a young woman, she moved to Minneapolis Minnesota and lived with her older sister.  She got a job at Pako Company and met her husband, Robert Barbour.  They were married June 27, 1953. Kathleen was a tremendous homemaker.   She was a wonderful and adventurous cook and had the holiday traditional meals perfected.  Her garden was the envy of the neighborhood.  She was also a skilled seamstress and made clothing for her children and grandchildren. Kathleen loved her grandchildren deeply.  She ended her career as a cook for the nuns in the convent at Holy Angels and became grandma daycare.  When the grandkids started school, she and grandpa were at every sporting event, school play, band concert and graduation. Kathleen had a passion for the Minnesota Twins and kept that passion until her final days.  She enjoyed sharing game highlights with friends at her assisted living home. She moved to an assisted living facility in 2021 for her final years and enjoyed bingo, crafts, word games, and especially happy hour and dancing. She will be missed by everyone whose lives she touched. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, September 6th 11:00am with visitation one hour before.  Location is St Thomas Becket Catholic Community 4455 South Robert Trail Eagan, MN 55123 

In lieu of flowers donations to Grace Hospice are preferred. You can donate online at https://www.gracecaring.org/support-us  

Or mail to: 

Grace Hospice 

1015 4th Avenue North, Suite 206 

Minneapolis, MN 55405