Barbara Ann (Stoneburg) Lindblom, age 90, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 16, 2017 at her home.
Barbara was born on May 29, 1927 in Minneapolis, MN to Clarence A. and Vivian (Carlson) Stoneburg. She lived in Duluth, MN the first seven years of her life. They moved to Cambridge, MN where she helped her parents in their Cambridge Bakery business. She was involved in choir, band, theater, cheerleading and was a majorette; and very active in her passion of horses which gave her the opportunity to ride in the Aquatennial parade. She graduated from Cambridge High School in 1945 and also attended Gustavus Adolphus College.
She worked at Anderson Drug in Cambridge where she met her future husband, John Lindblom. They were married on October 28, 1950 in Cambridge, MN. They made their home in Mora, MN when John started working as a pharmacist at Mora Drug. They started their family to include John III, Kristen and Jay. They were married three months short of 65 years when John passed away on July 11, 2015.
Barb was very active in the Order of the Eastern Star 158 and was a member for 61 years. She was also a member of the United Methodist Church, Mora Women’s Club, PTA, Circle K Saddle Club, 4-H parent, Kanabec History Center, Vassaloppet Pancake breakfasts with the OES, Pop Concert decorations, Mora Commercial Club, Kanabec County Fair Board, Master Gardener. She was very involved with John, working alongside him, managing the Mora Drug Store where she always went out of her way to help their cherished customers to know they were special.
She was very proud of her Swedish heritage and traveled to Sweden in 1986 to visit relatives; who also came to visit them in Minnesota.
She loved celebrating Christmas (leaving her tree up through March was a tradition) and other holidays. She also loved flowers and gardening.
She had a great passion for horses as well as all animals. There was never a time without a dog in the family. She took Kris to many horse shows and she also had Brittany Spaniel winning show dogs in the 1980’s. She loved to read, dance (she was a jitterbug, Lindy gal), music, cheering her boys at football games ringing her cow bell and hollering a little too loud for Dad to be too close, antiques, movies, cookbooks and most of all serving the public with her gracious giving spirit. She’s been described as a true gem, amazing, loving, having the ability to light up a room, fun, humorous, spunky, awesome, entertaining, vibrant, mother figure, wonderful, devoted, energetic, younger than her years, sweety, special lady, beautiful, good hearted, hugger, sentimental, made you smile thinking of her…. The best description is from a dear friend, “If everyone your Mom touched in a loving way held hands, I’m sure her love would circle the entire world.”
Barb was affectionately nicknamed “Gabby” with the innate ability to have two conversations at one time. She was so tiny but mighty. She loved her family and her life in the country on the lake amongst the many pine trees they planted, feeding the birds with John, talking with her best friend horse, Fred, and enjoying the peacefulness of the country. And everyone knows she had a great love for hats that looked so classy on her!!!!!
Barb was a very devoted wife and mother, always remembering special occasions of friends and family with cards and gifts. She was also a second mother figure to some very special friends, embracing them like family. She was always by your side when you needed her and she made sure anyone at their home had a meal or coffee and goodies. She would always wait and wave to you when you pulled out of their driveway.
She recently celebrated her 90th birthday at a surprise party with family and friends, some of which she had not seen in years. She was overwhelmed at how much she was loved.
Survivors include sons John (Jackie) Lindblom, Jay (Nancy) Lindblom and daughter, Kristen Lindblom; nieces and nephews, other family and dear friends.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, John, her parents and brother John A. Stoneburg.
A Memorial Service was held on July 21st at Akkerman-Ingebrand Funeral Home in Mora. Rev. Bob DeYoung officiated. Inurnment will be at a later date. Arrangements were handled by Akkerman-Ingebrand Funeral Home. Condolences may be posted at www.aifuneralhome.com.