Barbara Gail (Markwardt) Sigurdson

In Loving Memory of

Barbara Gail and Dennis Lane Sigurdson                                                                                        

Barbara Gail (Markwardt) Sigurdson was born on September 13, 1937, the only child of Gerhardt Henry “Jack” and Dorothy (Hanson) Markwardt.  She grew up in Slayton, Minnesota where she attended K-12, graduating from Slayton High School in 1955.  She attended the St. Barnabas School of Nursing, graduating as a registered nurse in 1958.

Dennis Lane Sigurdson was born November 1, 1934, the eighth of eleven children born to Severt Otto and Ann Marie (Thomsen) Sigurdson.  He was raised in Balaton, Minnesota and attended K-12, graduating from Balaton High School in 1952.  He served as an army engineer for two years including time on the Korean Peninsula and attended the University of Minnesota for two years.

Dennis and Barbara were both living in the Twin Cities area when, happily for us, they each returned home for a Labor Day weekend dance at Valhala where they met.  They were married at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton on November 8, 1958 and began their married life in Minneapolis, moving to Shakopee in 1972.  Dennis was self-employed for most of his life as a plumber and owned a trophy shop.  Barbara kept the books, the house and the kids in line until returning to nursing in the late 1970’s, working at the Minnesota Masonic Home until retirement.  Both were active members of their community, serving the Lutheran Churches of which they were members, the VFW, Masonic Lodge, as Girl Scout leaders and as foster parents in Scott County.  Dennis enjoyed hunting, fishing, horseback riding and, really, anything outdoors.  Barbara could create beautiful things with a needle and thread, yarn and hook, paintbrush or in the garden.  Both were avid readers and enjoyed friendly competition-bowling, cards, board games, yard games and a good cup of coffee.  Following their retirement, Barb and Dennis returned to Slayton.  They were wonderful parents and provided a model their three children aspire to.                  

Barbara lived at the Good Samaritan Home in Pipestone, Minnesota due to a diagnosis of dementia and passed away on December 26, 2017.  Following a diagnosis of cancer, Dennis moved to Our House Hospice Home in Slayton where he passed away on March 13, 2018                        

Survivors include their three children and their families: Gayle Sigurdson and Steve Mason, Lawrence, KS; Linda Baker and Tim Kaluza, Montgomery, MN; David and Kyong Ae Sigurdson, San Antonio, TX; eight grandchildren: Lilly Mason, Natalie Mason, Stephen Mason V, Joshua Baker, Timothy Baker Jr., Nicholas Baker, Jessie Sigurdson, Jamie Sigurdson; eight great-grandchildren, and brother, Leonard Sigurdson, Denver, CO.                            

Memorial Services will be at Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be at Slayton Memorial Gardens in Slayton, MN.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Hospice of Murray County, Christ Lutheran Church or to donor’s choice. Visitation will be on hour prior to the services at the church on Saturday. 

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