Barbara Jean Rofshus

Barbara Jean Rofshus, age 97, passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at her home in Albert Lea.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Pastor Mary Fiel will be officiating. Interment will be in the Old Concord Cemetery near West Concord, MN. Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea, MN, has been honored with assisting the family.

Barbara was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester on July 6, 1929, to Eric and Myrtle Swancutt. She married Robert “Bob” Rofshus on May 14, 1950, at the First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. Together they raised three children and built a business, Rofshus Precision Machine. Bob handled the building of the tools, and Barb was the bookkeeper and chief negotiator, starting by baking bars for meetings before eventually leading them. She attended Riverland Community College for a few years but mostly taught herself the things she needed most.

Barb was a woman who liked to keep busy. She was a member of the Naeve Hospital Board as a Bridgehead and taught beginner’s bridge, as well as going out to the Austin Senior Center to play duplicate Bridge every Tuesday and Wednesday. She enjoyed traveling, and went on several trips to Norway, and once to Hawaii. Barb was a lifelong Republican and loved watching Fox News and the Cowboy Channel. Even as she got older, she kept active, going to the Y 5 days a week to exercise until an unfortunate fall forced her to stop.

In her later years, Barb spent time with her special friend David Mutschler. Their bond brought mutual companionship and joy, with a common interest in travel, square dancing, old-time dancing, and spending time with family.

Barbara will be deeply missed by those she leaves behind.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Croix Hospice and Peace and Power Group at First Lutheran Church instead of flowers.