Barbara Elrod

Barbara Jacqueline Brask Elrod, age 89 of North Branch formerly of Columbia Heights, MN, died peacefully on Thursday, August 13, 2015. Born on January 22, 1926, to Herbert and Ruth Brask, of Minneapolis, MN, Barbara was the fourth of eight

children. Many of her childhood summers were spent with her family in Franconia or Dassel, MN. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1943. Following graduation, Barbara trained and worked as a bank teller. On April 3, 1948, Barbara married James Elrod, at First Evangelical Free Church Minneapolis, attended by her four sisters and James' four brothers. The couple began their life together in Duluth and soon moved to Chicago, Illinois, where their first son, Lee, was born. They returned to Minnesota when Jim began working for Honeywell. Daughter Lynn was born while Jim and Barb lived in Richfield. In 1956 the family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jeff and Jay were born during the family's six years there. In 1962, Barb and Jim moved back to Minnesota, where they built a new house in Columbia Heights. That house remained their home for nearly fifty years. There they raised their children, welcomed family and friends, and enjoyed many years of retirement. In 2009 they moved to assisted living in North Branch, MN. Barbara loved good music, both classical and popular. She took voice lessons at MacPhail School of Music. As a teen, she rode the streetcar to attend concerts at Northrop Auditorium and later she and Jim regularly attended performances at Orchestra Hall. She sang in church choir and always supported her children's and grandchildren's musical endeavors. Barbara kept the freezer and pantry stocked with produce from the garden and apple trees in the backyard. When not caring for her home and family, she kept busy at church and in the community. She served in several leadership roles at Brookdale Covenant where she was a member for over 50 years. She loved God's Word and was a study group leader in Bible Study Fellowship. She was also an organizer of a neighborhood Bible Study which met

regularly for thirty five years. She worked for a while at Billy Graham headquarters in Minneapolis. Her interest in communications led to her involvement in writing and speech classes, Brookdale Covenant Book Circle, and the writer's group at The Woman's Club of Minneapolis. In addition to The Woman's Club, Barbara was a member of PEO and The American Swedish Institute. Politics was another interest. In the early 1970's Barb helped lead Dean Nyquist's campaign for Minnesota Attorney General. She was a Columbia Heights election judge and served for many years as head judge in her precinct. Barb and Jim were able to travel with their children on many memorable family vacations, usually out west, usually with tents, sleeping bags, and air mattresses. After retirement, they enjoyed travelling to Europe several times, to the eastern provinces of Canada, and all over the U.S. Finally, in 2005, they fulfilled a long time dream of driving to Alaska via the Al-Can Highway. Barb loved Minnesota in all seasons. She especially enjoyed Minnehaha Falls, the Mississippi River, the St. Croix River, Duluth, and the North Shore. Every year she looked forward to the Minnesota State Fair, some years

attending twice, even in her 80's. She would stay from breakfast through the fireworks! Barb's favorite place away from home was the family cabin she helped build in 1970 on Moose Lake, near Ely, MN. She enjoyed morning coffee on the dock, taking in all the sights and sounds of the lake and the North Woods. Barbara's life was dedicated to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and to her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her greatest prayer was that all her loved ones will join her one day in Heaven, worshiping the Lord for all eternity. Her kind, cheerful spirit, and her tender heart will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Barbara Elrod is preceded in death by her husband, James, her parents, Herb and Ruth Brask, her sisters, Beverly Nordell and June Linman, and her brother, Craig Brask. She is survived by her children, Lee (Barbara), Lynn (Neville) Wilson, Jeffrey (Lois), and Jay (Lori); her 13 grand- children: Dana (Josh) Lowe, Chad (Annie) Elrod, Nathan (Andrea) Wilson, Leith (Jacob) Tews, Jessica (Jeremy) Newhouse, Timothy (Heidi) Wilson, Benjamin Wilson, Abbie Elrod, Trevor Elrod, Mathilda Elrod, Clair Elrod, Mark Elrod, and Marie Elrod; 12 (plus one expected) great-grandchildren; sisters, Priscilla Johnson and Patricia (James) Rodine, brothers, Rodger (Faith) Brask and Jay Weston (Judy) Brask, brother and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 28, 2015 at Brookdale Covenant Church, 5139 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429. Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 N. Shore Drive, Forest Lake, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.



Funeral Home: Mattson Funeral Home 343 North Shore Drive Forest Lake, MN US 55025

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Service
Friday, August 28, 2015
cemetery
Friday, August 28, 2015

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