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Esther A. Barber

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Esther A. Barber passed away peacefully at the Little Falls Care Center in the early morning hours of Monday, May 20, 2024, at the age of 96. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville, MN, at 11:00 A.M., with Pastor Tim Schmeisser officiating. Visitation will be held Monday, May 27, 2024, from 4:00-7:00 P.M., at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville, and again on Tuesday from 10:00-11:00 A.M. at the church. Burial will take place in St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery following the service. We ask that memorials be directed to EEI in honor of her grandson, David and in memory of her great-nephew, Joey or a memorial of your choice. Caring for Esther and her family is the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Swanville.
Esther A. Axel was born on April 9, 1928 in Culdrum Township at the home of her parents, August and Freada (Koschnick) Axel. She was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Swanville, MN. She attended school at School District 60 from first through eighth grades and then Swanville High School. Her Mother had passed away in 1945 and since she was the oldest child still at home, it was left to her to help her Pa with the care of her younger siblings, Lawrence, Edna and Donald. She married Alfred Dickmann on November 24, 1947 and they moved to Pierz, MN. Alfred passed away in 1948 and she then moved back to the farm to continue to care for younger siblings; all of whom lived with her at various times after her Pa passed away on July 17, 1948. Edna and Donnie called her “Ma” well into their adult lives. She married Eddie Barber on February 28, 1949 and lived in Swanville until 1964 when they purchased a farm about 2 miles west of Swanville. Eddie passed away on June 7, 1978 and she remained on the farm until 1989, when she moved to the Swanville Apartments. She was a janitress at the Swanville School for 33 1/2 years, retiring on June 1, 2000. She enjoyed dancing the polka with her siblings at her brother Don’s bar, listening to music, crossword puzzles of many kinds, reading and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never missed an occasion to send cards to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends, reading each card so that it would have the perfect verse for the recipient.
Esther is survived by her daughter, Dianne (Bruce) Krousey; son, David “Buzz” (Jean) Barber; grandchildren, Karen and Brian Krousey and Michael and David Barber; great-grandchildren, Jayden and Shelby Barber and Cole and Caleb Krousey.
She was preceded in death by her parents, August and Freada Axel; husbands, Alfred Dickmann and Eddie Barber; brothers, Lawrence, August (Millie), Walter (Doris) and Donald (Virginia) Axel; sisters, Erna (Walter) Dickmann, Hattie (Dick) Barton, Emma (Roy) Hanson, Amanda (Herman) Fritz, Frieda (Joe) Kedrowski, Edna (Jerry) Golombiecki; as well as son, Michael and great-grandson, Connor.