Barbara Magnus

Barbara Magnus

1940 - 2025

Barbara Magnus, passed away peacefully on December 17, 2025, in Stillwater, MN., where she had moved to be closer to family, who were always her top priority. Barb was 85 and entertaining other residents and staff at a care facility with her stories (slightly concerning her children) and brilliant smile. She remained a redhead until the end.

Barb was born to Thomas and Margaret Moran and raised in Chicago as part of an Irish Catholic extended family. She married her handsome sweetheart Andrew Magnus in 1965. Together they ran successful businesses: converting vans to campers (including one for Robert Redford while filming Ordinary People, with an autograph to Ms. Barbara Magnus to prove it) and selling model railroad equipment. In the early 80s, however, they sold the Illinois businesses and moved to pursue a farming dream outside of Warba, MN. There, they raised their delighted family.

In the mid-1980s, Barbara answered an ad in the local paper for experienced successful parents to join a new children's mental health program. She was a natural and eventually helped run the program now located at North Homes, Inc. in Grand Rapids. For decades, many families in northern Minnesota benefitted from her wisdom. She finally retired in her early 70s and eventually moved to live closer to family who had left Grand Rapids.

She truly was one-of-a-kind and will be dearly missed by her children; John (Pam) Mitchell, Jennifer (Camden) Magnus, Susan (Derrick) Gross, and Erin (Steve) Levin; six grandchildren; Keelin, Conor, Casey, Ronan, Lexi, and Owen as well as beloved extended family and friends. She was greeted in heaven by her husband Andrew, parents; brother, Martin (Buddy); and an angel great-granddaughter, Charli Mae.

Services will be in the spring.

Arrangements are with Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.