Barbara Mae Land

On March 15, 1935, in Willmar, Minnesota, Gilbert and Ruby (Soderling) Jorstad welcomed their second daughter Barbara Mae. The family, which included older sister Irene, relocated several times until they reached their permanent home in Fergus Falls, MN in 1944. Barbara graduated from Fergus Falls High School, where she had been a proud member of the Otters marching band and orchestra.

On January 2, 1954, Barbara married William T. Edwards II in Fergus Falls, MN. Soon afterward, the couple moved to Lincoln, IL., William’s hometown, where their five children were born. After the children were old enough to attend school, Barbara worked as the children’s department manager and buyer for Meyer’s Department store. She enjoyed working with the public, buying trips to Chicago, and having a reason to dress up every day! Barbara and William eventually divorced, and Barbara followed her heart, returning to Minnesota, finding a home in Minneapolis. Once there, she never wanted to move again! She loved the city and all it had to offer.

Once settled in Minneapolis, Barbara found employment with Prudential Insurance Company. With a work history in retail, this was a new and exciting opportunity for her. With an aptitude for numbers, detail and anything challenging, Barbara accepted the challenge of learning to program. She advanced her knowledge of computers and the programming world. She was a dedicated and loyal employee, retiring from Prudential after 25 years. The friendships formed at Prudential endured for the rest of her life. Following her retirement, she did contract work for American Express. When that contract ended, she retired from programming permanently. Never one to sit idle, Barbara eventually returned to retail, working at the North Memorial Health Hospital gift shop. She so enjoyed that job! She made many friends at North and cherished the memories of her time there. COVID shutdowns forced her retirement from North, but the friendships endured.

While employed at Prudential, Barbara met Jeffrey Land, and they married February 3, 1984. During those early years, most of their leisure time was spent at Lake Harriett sailing with the Lake Harriett Yacht Club. She quickly absorbed the sailing lingo, and with her agility, ability to make quick decisions, and sense of responsibility, reaped the rewards of crewing Jeff to many racing wins. Lake Harriett continued to be a source of pleasure even when sailing had become a fond memory. She enjoyed spending time at the Lake, walking the trail, people watching and ice cream at the bandshell!

Together Barbara and Jeffrey shared many adventures. With a passion for travel and new experiences, they visited most of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. They spent many winter weeks in Siesta Keys, Florida, finding relief from the Minnesota cold and snow. Their travels also took them abroad: Amsterdam, London, Panama, Paris, and Norway. Barbara always had her camera at hand, arriving home with beautiful photographs. Each trip was meticulously chronicled in photo albums, offering opportunities to revisit the memories of each adventure.
Their shared love of nature led them to become supporters of the U of M Arboretum. In her younger days, Barbara would trek the three-mile road through the Arboretum. In later years, when that was no longer possible, the drive through gave her just as much pleasure. The blooming flowers provided her so much joy, dahlias being her favorite.

Minneapolis offered Barbara many opportunities to indulge her love of the arts. Theater, dance and music productions, art exhibits and movies filled her days and evenings with enjoyment. Minnesota Public Radio and the Minneapolis Star Tribune were her daily staples. A lifelong reader, there was always a book at hand. A jigsaw puzzle was usually in progress, and she enjoyed having others join in. One had to be sure to let her put in the last piece however!

Barbara Land relinquished her battle with COVID on December 17, 2021, at North Memorial Health Hospital. The family wishes to thank the health care providers at North who so compassionately cared for Barbara.

Cremation will be accorded, and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Barbara cherished her family and they cherished her in return. She is survived by her husband Jeffrey as well as her children: Pamela (Jeffrey) Johnson, Mary (David) Hardman, William (Holly) Edwards III, Patrick (Heidi) Edwards, Susan (Kenneth) Flugaur, eleven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and a seventh due next spring; nephews Stephen Stenstrom & Robert Spanswick and niece Janice Coffman.
Barbara was proceeded in death by her parents, Gilbert and Ruby Jorstad, her sister, Irene Lundquist and brother-in-law Eugene Lundquist and her mother-in-law, Betty Land.

Memorials may be donated in her memory to the U of M Arboretum, the Guthrie Theater, North Memorial Health Hospital, Minnesota Public Radio or the American Cancer Society.