Barbara L. Carrigan

BARBARA LOU CARRIGAN was born to Richard and Bertha (Grein) Heath on August 30, 1928 in Albert Lea, Minnesota. As an infant, Barb’s father died when she was six weeks old as a result of appendicitis. She and her mom relocated to Lakefield, Minnesota where they lived with her mother’s parents. Barb was raised in Lakefield and received her education, graduating high school in 1946. She then attended school in Minneapolis for cosmetology. On February 14, 1948, Barb was united in marriage to the love of her life, Milburne “Big” Carrigan, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lakefield, Minnesota. The couple first resided in Mankato, Minnesota and then spent a year in Cokato, Minnesota before moving to Jackson, Minnesota. Barb kept very busy raising their five children. In addition to working as a full-time wife and mother, Barb worked part-time jobs, including a nurse’s aide at Jackson Hospital and in the media center at the elementary school. Throughout her children’s lives, Barb, being a seamstress made several dresses for them, including each of their wedding dresses. She and Big moved to Luverne, Minnesota in 1992 where they became active in the community. She thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; they were truly the “Sunshine” of her life. Big preceded her in death on September 9, 2011. Barb then relocated to Boise, Idaho. She died peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, April 28, 2013 at the St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho at the age of 84 years, 8 months, and 29 days.

Barb was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne, Minnesota and a longtime member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Jackson, Minnesota. Throughout her church life she belonged to Circle and volunteered where she was able. She enjoyed flowers, playing piano, singing music, baking and cooking. She loved spending time at the lake and celebrating holidays with her family.

Barb will be lovingly remembered by her five children, Patrick Carrigan and his wife Carla of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Candace Wilkinson and her husband Dan of Gooding, Idaho, Sally Koep and her husband Steve of Atlanta, Georgia, Terri Bargfrede and her husband Scott of Webster City, Iowa, and Wendy Bosshart and her husband Don of Luverne, Minnesota; 15 grandchildren, Ryan, Gavin, Caitlin, and Corrin Carrigan, Amanda Wilkinson Stockham (Jase), Molana Wilkinson Busch (Michael), Thomas Koep (Amanda), Alex Koep, Andrew Bargfrede (Ashley), Cory Bargfrede (Meredith), Kyle Bargfrede (Amanda), Callen Bosshart Benjegerdes, Morgan and Sydney Bosshart; ten great-grandchildren, Elliotte, Isabelle, and Cougar Stockham, Delainey and Carson Bargfrede, Gordon Bargfrede, Layla Bargfrede, Aria and Avery Busch, Sullivan Benjegerdes; and other family. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Milburne “Big” Carrigan; a grandson, Michial Wilkinson; her parents, Richard and Bertha; and step-father, Osmund Halsten.