Barbara DeHaan

Memorial Mass for Barbara will be held 2:00 PM on Monday, November 13, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Bob Schreiner officiating and John Bruggeman Deacon. Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery near Red Lake Falls, MN. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Barbara Jean Myhrer DeHaan, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and dear friend, of Red Lake Falls, MN, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at Sanford Hospital in Fargo. She departed this world on November 7, 2023, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, kindness, and love.

Barbara was born on March 9, 1945, in Thief River Falls, MN, to her adoring parents, Otto Sigvold Myhrer and MaryAnn Matilda (Morben) Myhrer. Barbara's roots were in Thief River Falls, where she attended St. Bernard's Catholic School and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1962.

On May 5, 1962, she married the love of her life, Jacob Henry DeHaan, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Their love story spanned an incredible 61 years. The couple made their home in Red Lake Falls, MN where they have since resided. It was here that she developed a passion for life and an unwavering love for her family.

Barbara was a woman of many talents and interests. She had a green thumb and took great pleasure in gardening, crafting delicious meals, and mastering the arts of crochet, knitting, canning, sewing, and baking. She loved Western movies, bird watching, collecting cookbooks and she cherished her morning coffee with dark toast. She looked forward to family gatherings, playing bags/boards, Farkle, and caring for her cats.

Barbara and her beloved husband Jacob went on countless adventures, traveling all over the country with her sister, Bev (Roger) Swanson. One of her greatest joys was exploring Mexico and savoring different foods.

Barbara briefly worked at Arctic Cat before going to St. John's Hospital in Red Lake Falls. Her passion for sewing eventually led her to open B&J Upholstery in 1982. Later, she worked alongside her husband at Sanitary Service and Recycling and for a couple years as a school cook.

Above all, Barbara found her greatest joy in hosting her family, friends, and distant relatives. Her home was always adorned with holiday decorations inside and out, lighting up the neighborhood,

Barbara was a member of Catholic Daughters, and she nurtured her strong faith by reading her scriptures daily. She also belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary and volunteered with the ambulance service in her early years.

Barbara Jean DeHaan is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Jacob, and their five children: Robert (Paula) DeHaan – Wheaton MN, Kimberly (Patrick) Conway – Eden Prairie MN, Donna (Jeff) DeHaan – Newport MN, Carole (Craig) Chaput – Red Lake Falls MN, Janell (Bill) Vatthauer – Crookston MN. Her memory lives on through her cherished grandchildren: Nicole (Jared) Larson, Katie Chaput (Brady Strom), Jordan (Mikayla) Chaput, Chelsey Chaput (Adam Stalboerger), Brooke (Cole) Wagner, Travis (Shelby) Vatthauer, Tyler DeHaan, Rochelle Chaput (Tyler Conklin). The light of her life continues to shine through her great-grandchildren: Mariah, Sydnee, Matilda, Riker, Hensley, Hudson, Autumn, Cooper, with one more due at the end of November.

She is also survived by her sister, Beverly Swanson of St. Hilaire, MN, her nephew Wayne Swanson, and niece Debbie Muzzy. In addition, Barbara leaves behind one uncle, Tom (Connie) Morben, and a wide circle of friends and extended family who were touched by her warm heart.

Barbara Jean DeHaan's memory will forever be a blessing to us all. May God's grace be with her as she rests in eternal peace. Jacob and family would like to thank all of their wonderful friends and neighbors for all of their help.