Barbara Jo Kupka

Barbara Jo (Burton) Kupka

Barbara Jo (Burton) Kupka, 74, of Embarrass, passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Essentia Health in Duluth, Minnesota, with her family by her side.

Barbara was born to John and Laura (Buckingham) Burton on June 26, 1950, in Wadena, Minnesota, and lived the first several years of her life on the family farm in Sebeka, Minnesota.

In the late 1950's, Barbara moved to Babbitt, Minnesota, when her father became employed by Reserve Mining Company. She graduated from Babbitt High School in 1968 and attended Eveleth Vocational Technical School.

Barbara was united in marriage to the love of her life, Lawrence Kupka, on February 13, 1971, at the Assembly of God Church in Babbitt, Minnesota, and made their home in Embarrass, Minnesota, where they lived throughout the duration of their marriage.

Barbara spent the first years of her marriage as a homemaker, but later entered the workforce as a certified nursing assistant at White Community Hospital in Aurora, Minnesota. She soon moved to the Ely Bloomenson Hospital where she spent over twenty-three years as an admitting secretary and retired in 2015. Barbara was known to many patients for her friendly smile and easy conversation.

Barbara was very active in the lives of her three children and six grandchildren. She served as a Girl Scout leader, secretary-treasurer of the Babbitt Hoop Club, Waasa-Embarrass Little League treasurer, Babbitt Tuesday Afternoon Bowling treasurer, and AFSCME union member where she held the office president for close to twenty years. Barbara also spent thirteen years on the Babbitt Community Education Board and twenty-five years on the Embarrass Region Fair Board.

Barbara loved to cook and was insulted when people asked her if she made dishes from a box. Her fried chicken could not be beaten. Much of the food came from her large garden, which was a great source of pride for her until she and her husband were physically unable to attend to its needs. Barbara cherished passing down her love of making homemade noodles, canning, and planting/processing gardens to her grandchildren.

Barbara was also an avid reader and loved to sew. She made beautiful quilts for all of her grandchildren and even for friends of her children when told that they were adding to their families. Barbara was currently working on a quilt for her great-grandchild due to arrive in January 2025.

Family was Barbara's number one priority. She felt blessed by the three children God sent to her, the seven college degrees they earned, and the jobs that all of them found in public education. Barbara swelled with pride when all three of her children found excellent life partners and later added to the family with six grandchildren. Many hours and miles were spent on the road attending their events.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, John & Laura Burton; brother-in-law, Gerald Olson; and beloved canine companion, Morgan.

Barbara is survived by her husband, Lawrence; daughter, Chris (Scott) Hautala of Hibbing; son, Lance (Katherine) of Hibbing; and daughter, Heather (Joe) of Eveleth. She will be deeply mourned by her grandchildren: Nicholas Tiedeman, Lindsey (Aaron) Hallam, Allyson Hautala, John (Leah) Tomczak, AnnMarie Kupka, and Olivia Tomczak. Great-grandchildren: James Hallam, Henry Hallam, and baby Hayden Tomczak due in January, will dearly miss her warm heart. She is also survived by her sister, Bonnie Olson of Oglesby, Illinois; special niece, Connie Olson; special niece, Shanon (Keith) Urbanski; and sister, Beverly (Jonathan) Hill of Olathe, Kansas; and many other extended family members. Barbara's loss will also be felt deeply by her best friend, Corrine Mahlman; and her current canine companion, Gus.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Hope Lutheran Church in Embarrass, Minnesota. Visitation will be one hour prior at the church. Burial will take place at the Argo Cemetery in Babbitt. Pastor Brent Theien will officiate.

Arrangements are made with the Range Funeral Home in Virginia. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.rangefuneralhomes.com.