Barbara Elaine Anderson

Barbara Elaine Anderson, a longtime resident of Apple Valley, entered her eternal home with Jesus on April 29, 2026.

Barb was born on a hot August day on her family’s homestead farm just south of Bricelyn, Minnesota, a quarter mile into Iowa. She was the third of eight children born to Cecil and Alma Rygh. Raised in a hardworking farm family, Barb drove tractor before the age of 10 and quickly developed the feisty independence and strong principles that would define her life.

At 14, determined to attend a school meeting, she famously drove herself into town after her father told her to do so if she truly wanted to go. Soon after, she moved to town permanently, working three part-time jobs to support herself through high school. She graduated from Kiester High School, Class of 1957, and moved to Red Wing, Minnesota to attend nursing school.

On a cold winter day while walking back from downtown shopping, Barb accepted a ride with a friend—and met a young man named Sam Anderson in the back seat of that car. They married on August 29, 1959, beginning a lifelong partnership.

Barb worked as an LPN in St. Cloud and later at the Veterans Hospital in Minneapolis before dedicating herself fully to raising her family after the birth of her first son, Daniel Lee. Three years later, their second son, Samuel Scott, was born.

After several moves, the family settled in the newly formed village of Apple Valley in 1969, where Barb would spend the rest of her life. She poured herself into her boys’ upbringing—serving as a Cub Scout Den Mother, volunteering at school events, and helping create a close-knit neighborhood community that many would describe as idyllic. Wednesdays were for coffee and planning Thursday garage sale outings, and summers meant cherished weeks at Buchanan Lake in Otter Tail County, where extended family gathered and lifelong memories were made.

In 1977, Barb began her second career as a school bus chaperone for District 196. She formed deep bonds with special needs students, treasuring the small gifts they gave her and remembering each story behind them.

In 2001, Barb endured the loss of her oldest son, Daniel, to stomach cancer at age 40. He left behind his wife and two daughters, Emily and Margaret, who became a great source of joy in her life. In his honor, Barb became deeply involved in Relay for Life, faithfully walking and supporting cancer research. Years later, she would walk the opening lap as a breast cancer survivor herself.

After caring for her husband through years of declining health, Sam passed away in 2019. Though she intended to return to volunteering, the COVID pandemic brought unexpected isolation from which her social life never fully recovered. In her final year, she moved to Baxter, Minnesota to live with her son Scott and his wife Lori.

Barb was a woman of deep and quiet faith in Jesus. Later in life, she began sharing a story from her youth when she nearly drowned and felt she had almost reached heaven. She often said she had never feared death since that day.

Barb is preceded in death by her parents; her son, Daniel; her husband, Sam; and her sister, Beverly.

She is survived by her son, Samuel Scott (Lori); daughter-in-law, Denise Hesselroth; granddaughters, Emily Anderson (Taylor Christian) and Margaret (Kody) Anderson; great-grandchildren, Stella and Cooper; siblings, Janice, Darwin, Lyle, Deanne, Larry, and David; and many beloved friends and relatives.

A visitation and Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Hosanna Church in Lakeville, Minnesota, with visitation at 9:00 am and service at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at 3:00 pm at Rosehill Cemetery in Wells, Minnesota.

Memorials are preferred to Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge.

Arrangements are by Starkson Family ~ Anderson Chapel of Apple Valley.