Barbara Banaszewski, 87, of Roseau, MN, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at LifeCare Medical Center in Roseau, with her loving family by her side.
Barbara Beatrice Blazejewski was born on April 23, 1938, in Wright Township, Marshall County, MN, the daughter of Florian and Clara (Borowicz) Blazejewski. She graduated from Strandquist High School in 1956. On October 20, 1956, she was united in marriage to Dewayne Banaszewski Sr. at Assumption Catholic Church in Florian. The couple made their home in South St. Paul for eight years before returning to the Strandquist area in 1964, where they owned and operated the England Store. In 1995, they moved to Roseau. Barbara worked at Arctic Cat in Karlstad/Thief River Falls, and later at the Karlstad Nursing Home and Roseau Hospital.
Barbara was a devoted member of Assumption Catholic Church in Florian, serving as a religious education teacher and President of the Ladies’ Aid. She later became a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Roseau.
Barbara found joy in many simple pleasures, including gardening, cooking, baking (especially for her grandchildren), cake decorating, sewing (baby blankets and quilts for family), fishing, attending flea markets, collecting antiques, playing cards, bingo and tending to her many flowers. She loved dancing – most of all the waltz with her husband, Dewayne. Above all, she treasured the time she spent with her family.
Grateful to have shared her life are her four children, Dewayne Banaszewski Jr. of Roseau, MN, Annette Robinson of Plymouth, MN, Jennifer Edbom of Piney, Manitoba, and Susan (Scott) Ripplinger of Fargo, ND; four grandchildren, Christopher (Christie), Kristin (Jesse), Alex, and Jonathan (Aerielle); eight great-grandchildren, Kailey, Kaitlyn, Karson, Kiptyn, Eiderson, Nolan, Hartlea and Everleigh; two great-great-grandchildren, Oaklyn and Marley; brother-in-law, Raymond Benke; and sister-in-law, Janice Blazejewski.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dewayne Sr.; parents, Florian and Clara; sister, Mary Kujava; brother, Robert Blazejewski; brother-in-law, Evald Kujava; and sisters-in-law, Janet Gostanczik and Carol Benke and in-laws Frank and Florence Banaszewski.
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: 10:30 AM on Monday, April 20, 2026 at Assumption Catholic Church in Florian, MN.
VISITATION: After 5:00 PM with a 5:45 PM Rosary and a 6:00 PM Prayer Service on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at Assumption Catholic Church in Florian and one hour before services at the church on Monday.
INTERMENT: Assumption Catholic Cemetery, Florian, MN