Funeral services for Barbara Jean Kirsch, 57, of Albert Lea, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Ascension Lutheran Church. The Rev. Mark Boorsma will officiate. Interment will be at Mansfield Township Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church.
Barbara died Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009, at her home due to her failing heart which stopped beating when God called her home.
Barbara Jean Katzung was born on Sept.15, 1952, in Albert Lea to Leo and Donna (Ellingson-Wangsness) Katzung. She was born on her grandpa Fred Katzung’s birthday. Barb was a true gift and miracle. Barb had lived in Conger, Alden, Kearney, NE and Albert Lea. She was baptized at Salem Lutheran Church, confirmed at the Danish Lutheran Church and at present time was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church. She graduated from Alden-Conger High School, Mankato Beauty School then Riverland as an occupational therapy assistant. Barb had worked at A New Look Beauty Salon and did therapy helping others. This past summer because of her health, she retired. She did volunteer work at Lakeview School and the Naeve Gift Shop as she was able. Barb married Charles Kirsch on Oct. 27, 1973. They later divorced. She is the proud mother of three sons, Shawn, Troy and Kyle. Grandma “B” to her precious grandchildren Kaden and Greta, and enjoyed the girls Lena and Sara. Barb truly enjoyed sharing and giving to others whether it was being with her family, a tea party with Kaden and Greta, doing crafts or coffee with her friends and co-workers making happy memories. She so appreciated everyone and everything that was shared with her. It was the simple things in life that mattered most to Barb. She will be missed by the people that loved her spunk, determination and the twinkle in her eyes. Among the last words she had written down was this her motto “I had the ability to take nothing and make something out of it. I did this with my homes and dysfunctional world. So be the best you can be at whatever it is you do because I love ya!”
Survivors include her sons Shawn (Lena) Kirsch and their children Kaden and Greta, Troy (Sara) Kirsch and Kyle Kirsch; step-daughter, Heather (Bruce) Johnston and their children Mike and Alex; sister, Dianne (Chuck) Sailor; nephew, Tim (Miranda) Sailor and children Logan, Gage, Shayanne, Payton and Coltin; niece, Macie Sailor and children Wyatt, Josie and Laine; aunt, Phyllis (Leo) Mattson, cousins JoAnn Holstad, Jean Aamondt, Paulette Cauldron, David Monson, Paul Monson, David Katzung, Jim Katzung, Ann Christensen, Joey Honsey, Cindy Peterson, Lori Olinghouse, Randy Mattson, Kjell Mattson, Tom Kelly, Karen Scheid and family friend, Gloria Hautt; extended family Dorothy Kirsch, Chuck (Nancy) Kirsch, Tom (Carolyn) Kirsch, Matt (Kristen) Kirsch and Molly Kirsch; many friends and Barb’s kitty “Misty”.
Barb was preceded in death by her parents, Donna and Leo Katzung; nephew, Colby Sailor; grandparents, Fred and Hulda Katzung, Adolph and Lena Ellingson, Helmer and Olive Wangsness, aunts, uncles, cousin, Gary Monson and in-law, Tony Kirsch.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.