Barbara Jane Proesch

Barbara Jane Proesch (nee Tonskemper) passed away August 28, 2016 at Boutwells Landing in Oak Park Heights. Born in Duluth, MN in 1919, her life was shaped by the major events of the last nearly 100 years. She attended UMD during the Great Depression and graduated from UMD with a degree in Education just prior to World War II. She then went on to teach in Watervliet, Michigan; Minneapolis; Stillwater; and lastly North St. Paul where she taught Kindergarten for 20 years at the Beaver Lake Elementary School. It was in Stillwater in the immediate post WWII years that she met Lawrence (Buddo) Proesch. They married in 1950, proceeded to have two children and continued to live on the North Hill of Stillwater until 1983. They moved to Rogers, Arkansas where she was active in her church and PEO until her husband’s death in 2011. Shortly thereafter, Barbara moved back to Minnesota to be closer to her children. Barbara touched many lives through her teaching, church involvement, and community involvement. She will be remembered for her fiery spirit and love of others. She is preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence of 51 years; her brother, James Tonskemper; her sister, Helen Ragen; and her son-in-law, Larry Schwarzkopf. She is survived by daughter, Gretchen Proesch; son, Bill (Betty) Proesch; and grandchildren, Erik Schwarzkopf, Ellen Proesch, and Claire Proesch. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the Church of St. Michael, 611 S. 3rd St., Stillwater, MN with a visitation one hour prior in the church atrium. Private family interment. Many thanks to the caring staff at Boutwells Landing for helping her navigate her final years.

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