Barbara Jean Herschberger

Barbara Jean Herschberger was born on April 8, 1937 to Vernon Melvin and Grace Evelyn (Severson) Clawson in Duluth, Minnesota. After Grace’s accidental death in 1939, the family moved back to Vernon’s hometown of Tyler, MN. There her grandparents helped raise her and her sister Janice. Vernon later married Maxine Beeck.

Barbara attended Tyler Public School where she was active in band, choir, the school newspaper and selected to attend MN Girl’s State. She worked as a Nurse’s Aide at the Tyler Hospital, regularly baby sat for several families in town, and sewed virtually all of her own clothes. In the spring of her junior year, she began dating her future husband Jimmy, and continued all of her activities. She graduated from Tyler High School in 1955. After her graduation, the family moved to Mankato, MN where she worked at Auto Electric Manufacturing Company.

On June 10, 1956, Barbara was united in marriage to James Fred Herschberger at First English Lutheran Church in Tyler. Their marriage was blessed with 5 children. She was a wife and homemaker for the family. She would even help with chores and farm work – when absolutely necessary.

Barb was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Lake Benton, MN where she was a Sunday School and Bible School teacher, member of the Ladies Aid Circle and the Twelves Bible Study. She served on the Ivanhoe Public School Board for 18 years, serving as President and Secretary. She was a member of the Southwest Minnesota ECSU Board, Extension Club, Danebod Village Board of Directors, the Saddle Club and was honored as Grand Marshall of the Lake Benton Saddle Horse Holiday Parade. She had many hobbies including playing in card clubs, reading, polka and square dancing. She enjoyed history, archeology, and genealogy and was a long-time member of the Prairieland Genealogical Society.

Barb was a significant genealogical resource for many other researchers. She loved to travel and took several trips to Europe. She loved Coke and never said no to a cup of coffee. She always made birthdays extra special with homemade cake with frosting or one of her famous pies. She was one to always be on time, especially on Sundays at church, where the family sat together in the front right pew. She loved her family, community, and her friends.

Barbara passed away on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Hendricks Nursing Home in Hendricks, MN at the age of 87. She is survived by her husband, James; children, Terry (Jerry) Peterson of Jasper, MN, Michael (Rhonda) Herschberger of Nevada, IA, Patricia (Bryce) Nielsen of Ivanhoe, MN, Myles Herschberger of Monticello, MN, Eric (Angy) Herschberger of North Port, FL; 14 grandchildren, Angie Olsonawski, Kevin Peterson, Paul Peterson, Timothy Herschberger, Christopher Herschberger, Rebecca Dulac, Stephanie Kobes, Anthony Nielsen, Kandice Haney, Andrew Herschberger, Myles Herschberger, Ryan Herschberger, Chelsey Randall and Jordan Herschberger; 19 great-grandchildren: sister, Janice James of Houston, TX and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Calvin and Francis Herschberger of Gaffney, SC.

May the Lord bless her memory among us.