Barbara K. Brower

GRAND RAPIDS — Barbara K. Brower, age 89, of Grand Rapids, Minn., died unexpectedly on Feb. 2, 2011, at Autumn Lane Assisted Living in Cohasset, Minn.

Barbara was born in 1922 to Edward and Mabel Kennedy in Ladysmith, Wis. She lived in Chicago and moved to Cloquet where she graduated from Cloquet High School. She attended St. Scholastica and the University of Minnesota in Duluth. Barbara was united in marriage to Monte Brower during WWII and, following the war, they lived in Cloquet, Brainerd, and various locations due to Monte’s position with Northwest Paper. They finally settled in Grand Rapids. Barbara volunteered with many community organizations. She had been a member of Chapter ED PEO Sisterhood, and she was a member of Christ Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids. Barbara loved her family and also had a great love for animals, especially her cats.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Monte; a son, John Brower; and two brothers, Wallace “Bud” Kennedy and John “Jack” Kennedy, who both died in WWII.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary B. Vergin, Grand Rapids, Minn.; her son, David (Natalie) Brower, Bozeman, Mont.; two grandchildren, Michael (Stephanie) Vergin, White Bear Lake, Minn., and Susan (Scott) Racine, Lindstrom, Minn.; four great-grandchildren, Mitchal and Megan Racine, Ellen and Molly Vergin.

Graveside services at Itasca-Calvary Cemetery will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to: Autumn Lane Assisted Living, 36858 Pincherry Road, Cohasset, MN 55721.

Arrangements are by Rowe Funeral Home and Crematory, Grand Rapids, Minnesota.