Barbara Ann West age 79 of Detroit Lakes, MN died March 10, 2026 in her residence.
Barbara West was born December 10, 1946 in Detroit Lakes, MN to Thomas and Avis (Lien) West. She grew up and attended school in Detroit Lakes, graduating from Detroit Lakes High School in 1964. She then moved to Richmond, Virginia where she attended college, earning a R.N. Degree. She moved back to Detroit Lakes and worked as a nurse at the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo, ND. She later attended Moorhead State University and earned her Nurse Practitioner License. She moved to San Francisco, CA and worked as a nurse practitioner at the San Quentin Prison for a few years before returning to Detroit Lakes. She was united in marriage to Harry Salminen and they made their home in Detroit Lakes. She finished her career working for Essentia Health in Detroit Lakes and also for the Barnesville Lake Region Clinic.
Barb loved the outdoors and lake living. She enjoyed flower gardening and socializing with her Wine Club. She also had a special place in her heart for dogs.
She is survived by one brother, Al West, of W. St. Paul, MN; two sisters, Evie Grignon, of Hopkins, MN; and Jane (Steve) Spaeth, of Detroit Lakes, MN; several nieces, nephew, and cousins; and her Goldendoodle, “Piper”.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; her parents; one brother, Thomas West; and three nieces, Amy, Sarah, and Kate.
Memorial Services will be on Thursday March 19, 2026; 2:00 p.m. at the West-Kjos Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Interment will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Detroit Lakes, MN. Arrangements have been entrusted to the West-Kjos Funeral Home of Detroit Lakes.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
900 Summit Ave., Detroit Lakes, MN 56501

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