Barbara E. Wondrasch

Barbara Wondrasch, loving mother of LeEtta, Loren and Valinda had her immortal soul called home to heaven on March 28, 2015 at the age of 98 years and 50 days. Barbara was born February 6, 1917, at Grandmother Reeds home in Center, North Dakota to Pearl and George H. Hayes.Mother Pearl and Father George were Dakota homesteaders on a farm about 10 miles from Center. At 18 months of age, Barbara contracted polio affecting her legs.In June of 1927, at age 10, Barbara and her family moved to Rochester, Minnesota, and she began a series of several operations at the Mayo Clinic to develop her ability to walk.With her low, original clinic number from 1927, she always caused a stir visiting Mayo some 88 years later. In 1937, Barbara graduated with honors from Rochester High School and then obtained her Beauty Shop operator license from the St. Paul Beauty School.On June 10, 1938 Barbara and Reuban Wondrasch were united in marriage at Trinity Lutheran Church in Elgin, Minnesota. Barbara and her family moved to Byron, Minnesota in 1947 and she opened Barbs Beauty Shop which she ran successfully until her retirement in 1981 when she moved to Central Towers in Rochester.Barbaras husband Reuban passed away of Hodgkins disease in May of 1970. During her career she accumulated many professional and volunteer achievements.In addition, she earned lifes noblest profession of mother and homemaker and raised three children who have been her true work of life.She relocated to Samaritan Bethany Home on Eighth in 2011. Barbara loved knitting, crocheting, tatting, fishing at their cabin in Backus, Minnesota, and helping others.She belonged to three Birthday clubs, was an active member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Byron Band Mothers, Rochester Senior Citizens Center, the Central Towers Social Club, and Our Saviors Lutheran Church to name a few. Barbara knitted hundreds of Christmas stockings for her family, and for friends of friends, plus dozens of Christmas tree skirts that took years to accomplish.What an incredible legacy.Her life-long love of travel took her to all 50 states, Mexico, and Canada as well as many bus trips with friends. Barbara is survived by daughter, LeEtta Blumentritt (Bruce), son, Loren Wondrasch (Nancy) and daughter, Valinda Wondrasch.Barbara has 6 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Her mother and father, grandparents, sister, Hazel Harkness, and brother, Richard Hayes, and her beloved husband, Reuban, preceded her in death. She will be greatly missed. A Christian memorial service will be held at Our Saviors Lutheran Church on 2124 Viola Road, Rochester, on Monday April 27, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.Visitation will be one hour prior to the servicefrom 10:00 to 11:00 am at the church.Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Rochester. In lieu of flowers, memorials gifts to Our Saviors Lutheran Church or Rochester Senior Center are suggested.