Barbara Jean Nolan

Barbara Jean Nolan, 77, passed peacefully in her home on Friday, December 8^th, 2023, in Detroit Lakes, MN. Barbara was born in Detroit Lakes, MN to Norman & Frances Pederson on July 6^th, 1946. Barbara attended Cotton Lake Country School and Frazee High School. She remained in the Rochert area until she married Andy LeRoy Nolan on October 1^st, 1963. Barbara and Andy raised their 6 children in the Frazee, Detroit Lakes, and Rochert areas, as well as a short time in Wisconsin.

Barbara worked at Swift Turkey plant, and other part-time jobs over the years before attending Detroit Lakes Technical College in Detroit Lakes, MN, completing certificate programs in Sign Lettering & Design in 1989 and Neon and Sign Fabrication in 1992. She owned her own business and worked at a sign fabricating company before furthering her education once again, graduating with a degree in Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) in 1994. She worked at a nursing facility in Mahnomen, MN for a time, then spent the rest of her LPN career at St. Mary’s Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, MN. Barbara spent her remaining years of employment in the healthcare field caring for troubled teens and developmentally disabled adults and children in various group homes.

Upon retirement in 2009 she spent her time caring for grandchildren, grand dogs, enjoying the outdoors, bird watching, fishing, long drives in the countryside, a cup of coffee and good conversation, serving others, and of course, art.

For most of her life, art was one of her happy places. She won awards at a few local art shows and dabbled in many different techniques, such as, drawing with pencil, painting with oil, acrylic, and watercolor, as well as charcoal drawings. Most recently, she was re-learning the skill of painting with watercolor and loved watching educational videos on new techniques. She also enjoyed taking photos of things she aspired to create on canvas and had an eye for finding beauty in the most mundane things, especially nature.

Barbara said the salvation prayer and gave her life to the Lord in 1979. From then on, she lived her life for Jesus Christ, attending various churches in the area, spending many years as a member at Northern Lights Tabernacle, Harvest Fellowship Church, and most recently, New Hope Church. Barbara loved worshipping the Lord, was an avid prayer warrior, and encouraged nearly everyone she came in contact with to give their life to Christ as well. She loved sharing bible verses and learning how to apply scripture to life’s circumstances, relying heavily on her faith during happy times, difficult times, and especially at the end, continuing to pray that God’s will be done.

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Andy LeRoy Nolan, mother and father, Frances (Gaynor) and Norman Pederson, son, Lawrence, siblings, Derold, Wayne, Donna, Pauline, Leatrice and Roseanne, grandson, Cameron and granddaughters, Grace and Tiara. She is survived by her brother Leroy, sons, Andy (Amy) Nolan, Raymond (Rachel) Nolan, Thomas Nolan, Aaron Nolan, and daughters, Nola Johnson, and Yolanda Nolan; 20 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday January 20^th, 2024, at 1:00pm at New Hope Church, 829 Lake Ave, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501.

Barbara’s family is asking that memorials be made as donations to New Hope Church for their generosity and support. Expressions of sympathy may be mailed to: 304 Pelican River Rd Apt 111, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501.

Thank you to David-Donehower Funeral Home, New Hope Church and Lamplighter Manor for their kindness, assistance and support during this difficult time.