Barbara Kleinschmidt

Barbara Jo (nee Welander) Kleinschmidt was born April 27, 1952 to Hjalmer and Regina (nee Jurjavich) Welander in Virginia, Minnesota. On December 12, 1987, Barb and David Kleinschmidt were united in marriage at St. Mary’s Church in Alexandria. Barb went on to earn her Master’s in Social Services from the University of Wisconsin Superior before working at Douglas County Social Services as a hospice social worker and the county daycare provider licensor. A prolific baker, Barb was known to give Martha Stewart a run for her money with her well-loved apple pie and bars; she could cook and bake anything. Her relaxed and easy-going spirit enabled her to face her cancer diagnosis head on with a positive, fighters attitude that she never gave up, even at the end. Always one to appreciate the simple things, Barb didn’t take her time on Earth for granted and spent as much time as she could playing with her grandkids, doting on her four cats, and spending quality time with the people she loved most. Her loving and generous spirit will live on in her family and many members of the community that were impacted by her.

Barb died on Saturday, June 30, 2018, surrounded by family, after a courageous 11-month battle with cancer. She is preceded in death by her parents. Barb and her world-famous apple pie will be missed by loving husband, David Kleinschmidt; sons Jason (Angie Vasquez) Tamminen of Minneapolis and Joshua (Erika) Tamminen of Golden Valley; daughter, Lauren Kleinschmidt of Fargo, ND; and grandchildren Asa and Mikko; brother, Eugene (Shirley) Welander; sisters, Jayne (Roger) Scott and Lesley (Charles) Miller; in-laws, Jan (Duane) Lieser, Pat (Darrell) Kluck, Jane (Tom) Holmes, Thomas Kleinschmidt, Mike (Tammy) Kleinschmidt. Don (Myrina) Kleinschmidt; special friends, Cindy and Arlen Yell; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and feline family members, Bug, Rizzo, Russell, and Schwarbie.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 6, 2018 at 10:00AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with visitation one hour prior at the church. Interment at Kinkead Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Lakes Area Professional Child Care Association and Hospice of Douglas County. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home.