Barbara Louise Jablonski

Barbara Louise (Leyes) Jablonski, known to all as Barb, passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026, from a long battle with cancer. Leaving behind a legacy of dedication, creativity, and warmth that touched everyone who knew her.

Barb was born and raised in Duluth, Minnesota. She attended St. Anthony and St. Jean's Catholic Schools and then the Medical Secretary Program at The Duluth Clinic. In her 40+ years in medical administration, Barb rose through several roles, ultimately finding her calling in the research department, where she served as secretary for the IRRRB Board and managed research grants that advanced medical knowledge and patient care.

Barb married Robert (Bob) in 1961. They spent most of their marriage in Duluth before moving down to Shakopee in 2010 to be closer to their family. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in 2025. Bob recently passed in October of 2025. They were both devoted Christians, and Barb was a long-time member of the St. Joseph church choir.

She loved music, reading, puzzles, travel, bowling, animals, and her grandchildren. Barb was a member of Johnny's Accordionaires in her youth, she traveled across the country competing at the national level. Her love for the accordion never waned-she continued to perform at parties and nursing homes well into her later years. Barb was an insatiable reader; she would pick up bags of books from library book sales and never liked to read a book more than once. She loved to travel with family, each year she would travel with Bob and the kids in their RV down to Florida for NASCAR races. Barb continued to travel with Brenda to places like Sydney, Australia, San Diego, and Las Vegas. At home, she also enjoyed bowling in leagues with her husband and on women's leagues. Barb and Bob were big dog lovers, they believed in rescuing dogs in need, and they always had a yellow lab at their side. Barb cherished her role as a devoted grandmother, never missing an opportunity to cheer on Joshua and Kelly at their soccer games, karting, dance recitals, and band concerts.

Barb is survived by her son Bruce (and his wife Marcy), daughter Brenda, grandchildren Joshua and Kelly, and sisters Mary Jean Klous and Avis "Cookie" Hedin. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband Bob, her parents Albert Leyes and Lillian Wimmer, and her brother James.

A life well-lived, beautifully remembered.

All services will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at McNearney-Schmidt Funeral and Cremation, 1220 3rd Ave. East, Shakopee, MN: Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM, followed by a Prayer Service at 11:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that you donate to either the American Cancer Society or the Carver-Scott Humane Society.

To view a livestream of the prayer service, please click the link: https://www.facebook.com/McnearneyFuneralHomeAndCremationServices