Barbara J. Willard (Halland), 68, died peacefully on Monday, May 28, 2018 with family and pets at her side at home.
Barbara was born to Robert and Olga (Anderson) Halland and grew up on the family farm near Storden, MN. She attended Model Beauty School from 1967 to April 1968 and later worked at Mable’s Beauty Shop in Worthington. In 1970, Barbara started work with Midtex Incorporated while attending Mankato State University, where she met her future husband Michael Willard. They married September 2, 1972 and moved to Orlando, FL where they had three daughters, Heather, Heidi, and Tracey. During her time in Orlando, Barbara was employed at The Naval Training Center in the Civilian Personnel Center. With her husband’s corporate role, the ensuing years would take Barb and her family to a number of new locations in the Midwest and East Coast where she worked in a variety of administrative support roles at Western Connecticut State University, Boehringer Pharmaceuticals, and Union Carbide. Barb and Mike settled in Rochester in 1993 where Barb spent several years with the Rochester Public School District, retiring in June of 2006.
Barbara enjoyed baking, cooking, and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was a wonderfully selfless person who’s most endearing quality was her unwavering concern for the welfare of others. Barbara was much loved and will be greatly missed by all of her family
Barbara is preceded in death by one daughter, Heidi Jones; her brother, Ralph Halland; her parents; Robert and Olga Halland; and parents-in-law, Ralph and Helen Willard. She is survived by her husband, Michael Willard; daughters, Heather Sherwin, and Tracey Willard; son-in-law, John Sherwin; three grandchildren, Grant Sherwin, and Arianna and Aiden Jones, all of Rochester, MN. She also leaves behind one brother, Steven (Verla) Halland of Storden, MN. She is survived by numerous cousins.
A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 1st at Zumbro Lutheran Church with Pastor Vern Christopherson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the National Parkinson Foundation.
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