Barbara Jean (Swenson) Omoth age 93, of Minneapolis, Minnesota passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Monday, June 23, 2025. Barbara was born June 22, 1932, in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Erling and Emma Swenson. She is survived by daughters Nancy Metzger (Randy) and Pamela Postiglione (James), and grandchildren, William Postiglione, Justin Postiglione, Morgan Metzger, Garrett Metzger, and Natalie Postiglione. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years (Robert E. Omoth), father (Erling Swenson), mother (Emma Babler Swenson), and sister, (Joan Elbers).

Barbara was a lifelong part time resident of Cook County. At an early age (and through her teenage and college years) she summered at the family’s cabin on Lake Superior on Cascade Beach Road. Barbara’s father, an attorney, acquired the cabin in

payment for legal fees from two brothers charged with bootlegging liquor from Canada during prohibition. Barbara and her sister Joan became well acquainted with residents and our family has many stories of their adventures including driving a beer truck to Duluth. As the story goes, unbeknownst to their parents, Barbara and Joan rode to Duluth with a local boy. At some point however, Barbara ended up driving the truck. Barbara’s family kept the cabin until 1987 when it was sold. The new owners lovingly restored the cabin to keep its history as a “bootleggers’ cabin” intact.

In 1959 Barbara and Joan convinced her father to build a cabin on Gunflint Lake in the Summer Home Group. They were looking for a place where they could spend more time on the water fishing and canoeing. For more than 60 years Barbara and her family spent summers on Gunflint Lake. As the family grew, additional cabins were built or acquired on both Gunflint Lake and Hungry Jack Lake. Barbara also spent time cross-country skiing in the Lutsen area and the Gunflint Trail.

Barbara graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in English Literature. After raising her two daughters she worked for the Hennepin County School District. Barbara was known for her bubbly, flirtatious personality and her passion for all god’s creatures. She loved outdoors and was an advocate for the protection of our natural spaces. She cherished canoeing in the Boundary Waters, hiking remote forest trails, and cross-country skiing. She will also be remembered for her beloved Cairn Terriers. They had as much spirit as she did. Barbara was active in the dog show circuit and won championships with her terriers. But she also had a more contemplative side. She delighted in poetry, particularly Robert Frost, and she loved classical music. She played the piano and encouraged her children in the appreciation of music. Barbara was an excellent cook and delighted her grandchildren with her famous fluffy and tender buttermilk pancakes. But no summary of Barbara’s life would be complete without mention of her fashion sense. She was a beautifully stunning woman who knew how to dress and her shopping trips to Dayton’s in downtown Minneapolis were legendary. More than anything else Barbara was a loving wife, and wonderful mother and grandmother. She instilled the sense of adventure and wonder in her grandchildren. We are all blessed to have had her in our lives. She will be dearly missed. A private ceremony will be held at Sunset Memorial in Minneapolis later this year. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Friends of the Boundary Waters or the Animal Humane Society.