Barbara J. Anderson

Barbara J Anderson (Oldenburg), 85, of St. Paul Park, Minn, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Nov. 26, 2024, after a long battle with COPD, succumbing to congestive heart failure. She was preceded in death by father George Oldenburg; mother Marie Oldenburg; sisters Eileen Bittner and Lorna Adams; and brother Robert “Buddy” Oldenburg. Survived by husband Robert “Bob” Anderson; daughter Susan Brenna (Rick); son David (Bridget); and grandchildren Aspen, Ryan, and Sara.

Barb, born in Mankato, Minn, was a 1957 graduate of Janesville High School and grew up in Pemberton, Minn. She worked for Avis Rental at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, where she met Bob. They were married on Aug. 29, 1964, in Janesville, Minn. They previously lived in Landfall, Minn., before moving to St. Paul Park in 1968. She worked/volunteered for several years at the Gift Hutch craft store in Newport, Minn.

After working nearly 10 years as a bookkeeper at Northwest Fabrics in West St. Paul, Minn., Barb retired to provide daycare for her first grandchild, introducing her to coffee. Barb enjoyed a wide range of hobbies, including sewing, crafting, gardening, painting, researching family histories, raising border collies, and collecting dollhouse miniatures. She loved to watch horse racing, especially the Kentucky Derby. She was involved at All Saints Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove, Minn., and was a founding member of the Southeast Metro Sharks Swim Club.

The family says thanks to the staff at Woodwinds Hospital and at Walker Methodist Westwood Ridge 1 Assisted Living Facility for the special care providing during her last few days.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to either All Saints Lutheran Church, the Animal Humane Society of Minnesota or the Autism Society of Minnesota. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. with visitation beginning at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 17, 2025, at All Saints Lutheran Church, 8100 Belden Blvd., Cottage Grove, MN 55016. Funeral and interment will follow.