Barbara J. Stich

Barbara “Barb” Stich, 83, passed gently from this life on Monday afternoon, July 27, 2015. She was at home, the place she shared with Vernon, her husband of sixty-two years.

Barbara Jean was born in Fergus Falls on November 1, 1931, to John “Jack” and Hazel Will. She grew up as part of a farm family near Doran. She attended school in Campbell and graduated from high school there in 1949. After a short jaunt to Minneapolis as a live-in nanny, she returned home, where she met her future husband Vernon Stich. They were married in Fergus Falls in October of 1952. After giving birth to six children in the span of seven years, Barbara wisely found a little peace and quiet working outside of the home. She was employed for a time at Lake Region Hospital at the switch board there. Shortly thereafter, she began her almost thirty four years at another switchboard, this time at the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center, retiring in 2000. By then she and Vernon had moved to Battle Lake, a happy move for them both.

Barbara was so many things. She was able to create any costume, for any play, with an old Singer sewing machine and boundless imagination. Who needs a pattern?! On weekend car trips, she would serenade her family with her wonderful and rich alto voice. “Beautiful, beautiful brown eyes…I’ll never love blue eyes, no more!” And crossword puzzles? She’d eat them for lunch.

As Barb’s health weakened, help was given. Our family wishes to thank Dr. Daniel Lembcke and the exceptional staff at the Battle Lake Clinic. Also, Jay and Trudy and the rest of the first rate crew at Seip Drug in Battle Lake and Dan and Carol Brause who selflessly helped to make tough times better. There are many, many others. Thank you, all.

Gone before Barb are her parents, Jack and Hazel; her youngest daughter, Karla and Karla’s loving husband, Brad Fossan; her oldest brother, Boyd; brother-in-law, Rod; and uncle Elmer Will.

Those who remain are her husband, Vernon of Battle Lake; her children, Kim Stich of Battle Lake, Kathy Stich (husband, Dave Hough) of Spring Creek, Nevada, Kay Stich of Fergus Falls, Kevin (Connie) Stich of Las Vegas, Nevada; six grandchildren, Cassidy Stich (Jennifer) of Crookston, Justin Stich of Grand Forks, Matthew Johnson of Bismarck, North Dakota and Andy (Natalie) Brown and Brock Brown of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Frank (Maria) Brown of Eagle River, Alaska; four great-grandchildren, Natalie and Marcus Narvaez and Max Stich of Crookston and Sydney Brown of Eagle River, Alaska; four siblings, Sally (Rod) Brause of Doran, Jan Will of Brooklyn Park, Ron (Alice) Will of Minnetrista and John (Jeanne) Will of Hammond, Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Shirley Will of Maple Grove; and numerous nieces and nephews, across many generations.

Funeral Mass: 11:00 AM on Friday, July 31, 2015 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Henning
Clergy: Father Leroy Schik
Interment: St. Edward Catholic Cemetery in Henning