Born: November 17, 1933 in Ceresco Township, Blue Earth County, MN
Died: October 7, 2019 Bakersfield, CA
Preceded her in death: Husband Ralph E. (Gene) Barber, Son Larry Gene Barber, Mother Olive Gustafson, Father George Gustafson, Brother Maynard Gustafson, Sister Sylvia Reinhart
Survived by: Son Steven Lee Barber, Nephew David Barber and his wife Terry, Nephew Jim Barber and his son Evron Barber, Great nephew Matthew Barber, great nephew Phillip Barber and his wife Cari and their children Danielle and Ronin, Great niece Kelsi Stahl and her husband Michael Stahl and their daughter Fenja. Other relatives in Minnesota.
She graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1951. She hung out with a group of girls that called themselves the JUGS (Just Us Girls). They weren’t part of the elite but they had lots of fun together.
While she had a few jobs in her life she considered taking care of family the most important job. In the early years in California she attended Redeemer Lutheran Church. Later the entire family attended Central Southern Baptist Church. Here she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and worked in the kitchen. With her husband’s encouragement and support she joined The Sweet Adeline's South Valley Sound Chapter where barber shop style songs were the specialty. Hobbies included cross stitch, crochet, knitting, and painting.