Barbara Loewen

Barbara (Jungas) Loewen, affectionately known as Mor Mor to her grandchildren, age 84, of Mountain Lake, MN passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, October 19, 2019. She was a shining example of vibrancy, resilience, and intelligence. She found her greatest joy in making her family comfortable and happy through beautiful celebrations and traditions, lively and warm conversations, passionate debates about the Vikings or politics, tackling the daily cross word puzzles, and providing ever-present calming support when needed. Devoted to her true love and husband of 54 years, Lee, she provided the wonderful glue for their family that instilled a deeply embedded sense of belonging, caring, and love. She showed a genuine and deep interest in the details of each of her family members lives and an ability to cherish each one uniquely and individually. Through her, we all learned the truest meaning of unconditional love and support. Born in Mountain Lake, MN on March 2, 1935, to John Peter and Mildred Jungas, Barbara was baptized at the Bethel Mennonite Church. After attending Mountain Lake High School and graduating as class Valedictorian in 1953, she attended Gustavus Adolphus College and the University of Minnesota, graduating with a Bachelor of Science from the College of Home Economics in 1957. Following college, Barbara married Lee on July 4, 1957 and soon moved to Milwaukee, WI and then Verdun, France to be with Lee during his service in the United States Army. Following this service, they returned to Mountain Lake, where they raised three children and were active in their community. She began her 27-year storied career in education in 1972 when her youngest child entered kindergarten, earning an induction into the Future Leaders of America Hall of Fame for her work advising and mentoring students – many of who achieved state and national awards for their projects. Her impact on the community was broad and meaningful, as she was a beloved High School teacher and mentor that taught life skills such as consumer education, child development, health careers, sewing, and foods. After retirement, Barbara and Lee enjoyed camping and traveling throughout the United States, including an annual late winter month-long trip to Southern California to visit their youngest daughter. Barbara remained an active and devoted member of the Bethel Mennonite Church. Always a talented seamstress, she created her daughters and daughter-in-laws beautiful wedding dresses and sewed detailed Raggedy Anne and Andy dolls for her grandchildren and nieces and nephews children. Barb also enjoyed creating needlepoint projects that demonstrated her passion for her hobbies and her favorite holiday, Christmas. These intricate, framed heirlooms provided a beautiful background for the wonderful, traditional Christmas festivities with family and friends she loved to host, including her annual Lucia Party that honored her Swedish heritage. Barb was an exceptional cook and loved to research and test new recipes for her friends and family. These curated recipes always made you feel special and you knew she had been thinking of you when planning the menus. Her recipe box is another precious family heirloom! She will be deeply missed by her children, Randy Loewen (Linda), Robyn Loewen (Tom Hilgren), Andrea Loewen Rodriguez (Oscar Rodriguez); her much loved grandchildren Erik, Bailey, Alyssa, and Matthew; and her brother Jack Jungas (Becky). Her husband, parents and sister Lois preceded Barbara in death. Service Information 1:00 pm Saturday, November 23, 2019 Bethel Mennonite Church, Mountain Lake, Minnesota 301 N 9th St Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Interment Information Mountain Lake City Cemetery 10th St. N at Midway Rd Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159