Barbara Ebersviller

Barbara Jean “Bobbie” (Hanson) Ebersviller, 86, of Fergus Falls, formerly of Albert Lea, died Saturday, March 17, 2012, at Lake Region Health Care, Fergus Falls. Bobbie was born in Albert Lea, MN on Feb 21, 1926, the middle child of three daughters born to Russell and Helen (Pierce) Hanson. She graduated from Albert Lea High School, attended Carleton College and graduated from the U of M in 1947 with a degree in Recreational Leadership. She met Rodney S. Ebersviller in 1943, on the train “St. Louis Rocket”, prior to his WWII deployment in Germany. They reconnected at the U of M and were married on March 19, 1948. They have lived in Fergus Falls and Rothsay, MN, raised four children, and always lived within a short whistle from the railroad tracks. Bobbie was an avid swimmer, golfer, wartime “Rosie the Riveter”, census taker, and Campfire leader, a member of the Antiquarians, very active in community affairs and served on the Fergus Falls city council. She was a builder of the Moccasin Valley Campfire camp on Anderson Lake in Ottertail Co. After a massive stroke in 1978, she made a near complete recovery, attributed to her Danish will and determination, as well as a lot of help from family and friends. After her recovery, she traveled extensively with Rod, visiting 26 countries in 20+ years. She loved spending summers at her family’s cabin near Outing, MN. An avid nature lover, she had an extensive bird life list and always wanted to be outside, swimming, walking and singing or telling stories by the campfire. She inspired her children and grandchildren to love cooking, and sometimes struck fear in their hearts wondering what new recipe she would try next. She is survived by her husband Rod, her sister Lory (Fred) Phelps, of Naples, FL, her children, Todd (Mary) of Ramsey, Ann (Marvin) Pederson of Lakeville, Jon (Teresa) of Perham & Jane (Joe) Nontelle of Duluth, six grandsons: Joshua, Derek, Seth, Brent, Ian & Blake, three great grandsons: Connor, Sean & Isaac; and (finally) one great granddaughter, Lola Mae. She was preceded in death by her mother & father, stepfather Roy Delaney, and sister Margot (Norm) Dwyer. Memorials to Campfire USA or Courage Center are preferred. Family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday with a prayer and sharing service beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 20, 2012, at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls with Reverend Saul Stensvaag officiating. Burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery. Arrangements provided by the Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls.