Barbara Reichert Kok

Barbara Reichert Kok, age 88, passed away peacefully at Evergreen Lodge memory care in Northfield, on September 8, 2025.
Livestream of Barbara's services can be found here: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC_fywJlEasDKZOZLPd3cIWA
Barbara Reichert was born on January 9, 1937 in Long Prairie, Minnesota, where she grew up and attended Long Prairie High School. Her parents owned the Reichert Hotel where she helped clean rooms and make beds. She loved spending her summers at the "cottage" on Lake Latimer with a two-hole outhouse and a wood burning stove for heat. Her future husband lived right across the lake at the Lakeside Dairy farm.
Barbara attended St. Theresa's in Winona for two years before transferring to the U of MN, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education. One of her fondest memories was teaching English and music in Germany for two years with the army and traveling through Europe with her sister, Kathy. She wed David Kok on August 1, 1964 at St. Mary's church in Long Prairie. They lived on David's family farm on Lake Latimer, where they raised their children Kate and Andy, as well as pigs, cows, chickens, cats and dogs.
While in Long Prairie, Barbara was self-employed teaching piano lessons at St. Mary's convent and prepared many students for the MMTA (Mn Music Teachers Assoc.) contests. She was also active in Christian mothers, directing the St. Mary's choir, and square dancing. During the 80's, she completed her master's degree in piano pedagogy at St. Cloud State University.
Barb and Dave moved to Hopkins, Minnesota in 1986, where they lived for more than 30 years with several dogs and two cats. Barb loved reading, music, painting, weaving, volunteering, writing, animals, and travel. Barb and Dave had many travel adventures in China, Guatemala, Alaska, Europe, Greece, and many places in the US.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen Celestia and Ardo Ignatius Reichert, and her aunt Barbara Green. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, David; two children, Kate (Roger), and Andrew (Terri); sister, Kathy (Jerry); many nieces and nephews; 5 grandchildren Carson, Nolan, Hazel, Elise and Mitch; and a great grandchild, James.
Visitation, mass, and lunch reception will be held September 17, 2025, at Church of St Peter in Mendota. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. A Catholic mass will be held at 11:00, followed by a light lunch. Church of St Peter 1405 Sibley Memorial Highway Mendota, MN (651) 452-4550
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to one of Barb's favorite charities: Humane Society, ASPCA, World Wildlife Fund, Doctors Without Borders
A memorial will also be held in Long Prairie at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral home, with grave visitation in Long Prairie St. Mary's Cemetery. Date and Time TBD. https://www.williamsdingmann.com/