Barbara Joanne Reyer

Barbara Joanne Reyer, age 94, of Minnetonka and formerly of Willmar, passed away Monday, October 27, at Elder Homestead in Minnetonka.

A celebration of Barb's life is planned for a later date.

Barbara was born on September 29, 1931, in Hawarden, Iowa to Oscar and Minnie Thompt of Hudson, SD. After high school in Hudson, she attended South Dakota State University, graduating with a degree in Medical Technology. In 1953, Barb married Dick Reyer, also from Hudson, SD, in El Paso, Texas in 1954. Barb began her career in medical technology there while Dick was in the Army. Barb and Dick raised their five children in Winner, SD, St. Paul, MN, Roseville, MN, and Willmar, MN, where the family moved in 1970. Barb continued to work as a medical technologist in the Twin Cities and at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar for many years until retirement. Her accuracy in lab work and bacteriology was praised by Minnesota state health officials and by Mayo Clinic. After more than 50 years in Willmar, Barb and Dick moved to Medina in 2021. They had been married 68 years when Dick died in 2022.

Barb is survived by daughter Jo Reyer (Gene Plewe) of Golden Valley, daughter Jane Reyer (Toni Mason) of Minneapolis, son Chuck Reyer of Hopkins, and daughter Molly Holmgren of Minnetonka. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Robin Barnier (Jorge Manahan), Martin Barnier, Tara Barron (Daniel), and Erik Holmgren; and four great-grandchildren: Felix and Wilder Manahan, and Everett and Sawyer Barron.

She was preceded in death by son Timothy Reyer, her parents, and sisters Beulah, Madelon, Avis, and Margery.