Memorial Service
Wooddale Lutheran Church-
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Email Details
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4003 Wooddale Avenue South
St. Louis Park, -
Visitation 9:30 - 11:30 at church
Barbara K. Fritzberg
May 6, 1942 — October 12, 2018
Barbara K. Fritzberg
Barbara Kohler Fritzberg, 76, of Minneapolis passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family on Oct. 12, 2018 following a valiant 20-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Barbara was beautiful and inspirational. She was known for her warm smile, friendliness, interest in others, strong faith, astonishing memory, sharing her many artistic talents, being a good friend and correspondent, her green thumb, her tenacity and her curious nature. Barbara did not let disability prevent her from living her dreams. Regardless of the many challenges she faced, she persevered, always. In this life, her greatest achievement was successfully raising by herself her two sons, Erik and Christian to be kind, caring, hardworking, strong, resilient and educated gentlemen. In them her legacy will live on.
Barbara was born in Newton, Mass., on May 6, 1942 to J.W.A “Joe” and Barbara Partridge Kohler. During her formative years in Newton, Barbara enjoyed reading biographies and Nancy Drew mysteries, learning about family and New England history, church activities, sewing, exploring different art mediums and socializing with her many neighborhood friends. Barbara was very involved in Girl Scouts, the highlight of which was being selected to attend the roundup in Colorado in 1959. Weekends and summers were spent at the family retreat, “Oven’s Door,” in Edgecomb, Maine. While homebase for generations was the cherished historic house on Washington Street in Newton.
Barbara graduated from Chapel Hill preparatory school in Waltham, Mass., and the Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T.) in Rochester, N.Y., obtaining a BA degree from the School for American Crafts and specializing in the clay arts. Following graduation, Barbara shared her talents instructing others while teaching at LaSalle College in Auburndale, Mass. Barbara met her husband Norman Fritzberg while both were art students at R.I.T. The couple married June 15, 1968 at Grace Church in Newton. Following their union, the couple were stationed in Bainbridge, Maryland and Charleston S.C., during Norman’s four years in the U.S Navy. In the early 1970s, the couple moved to Minneapolis, Minn., which would become Barbara’s adopted home. Barbara learned about the fiber arts, and joined the Weaver’s Guild of Minnesota, where she learned to spin, use natural dyes and weave beautiful textiles. Barbara and Norman moved to Plymouth in 1975. Barbara quickly became well acquainted with her many neighbors in Plymouth, considering many family.
In 1979 and 1980 the couple was blessed with their children Erik and Christian. Barbara enjoyed being a very involved mother and guiding her children to learn and explore their passions and talents while making sure they explored church activities, scouting and love of the great outdoors, which she had so enjoyed in her formation. Ever devoted to her children, Barbara made many sacrifices to help them succeed.
In 1999, Barbara moved back to New England, which had been her dream for many years. Barbara settled in Maine, which she always claimed as “the most beautiful state in the Union.” She moved to the town of Scarborough and found a newly constructed New England saltbox house to call her own. Barbara enjoyed life in Maine with her dog, “Mr. Sandy.” She reconnected with lifelong friends and made many new friends in her neighborhood and church. She was blessed to enjoy the New England for 11 years before the progression of Parkinson’s Disease made living away from family too difficult.
In 2010, Barbara moved back to Minneapolis to be closer to her son Christian and other family. Barbara settled in a small assisted living apartment by Lake Harriet for a time, but apartment life did not suit her very well. For the last years of her life, Barbara’s son Christian and his partner, John, cared for her full-time in the storybook home that her son purchased for her, right next door to his home. Barbara enjoyed this blessing and the gift of living out her days surrounded by her favorite things and infinite love.
The family is thankful for the many caregivers that helped Barbara.
Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Norman; parents J.W.A. “Joe” and Barbara Kohler; brother Christopher Jordan Kohler; and in-laws Lawrence and Phyllis Fritzberg. She is survived by her sons Erik and Christian (John Glover); granddaughter, Merryn; sister-in-law Pierette Kohler; extended family and many lifelong friends.
A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held Saturday, Nov. 3 at Wooddale Lutheran Church – 4003 Wooddale Avenue South; St. Louis Park, MN 55416. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Memorial service will be at 11:30 a.m. followed by a luncheon at the church.
A prayer service will be held May 6, 2019 at Grace Church – 76 Eldridge Street; Newton, MA 02458 at 11:00 a.m. Following the service, Barbara will be interred at the Newton Cemetery.
Memorials preferred to the Girl Scouts of America, the Parkinson’s Foundation or donor’s choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Barbara K. Fritzberg, please visit our flower store.
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