Barbara Ann (Greenwald) Smith, age 81, of Maple Plain, died Thursday, March 27, 2008, from complications of COPD.
Barbara, known affectionately by her siblings as “Bible Ann,” was born Nov. 19, 1926, in St Louis, Mo., to Daniel and Doris (Mellon) Greenwald.
She graduated from Washburn High School, Minneapolis, in January 1944. She then entered nurse’s training at Eitel Hospital in Minneapolis, and achieved her registered nursing degree in 1948, being capped by her sister Doris, also an Eitel RN.
Barbara received her appointment to the USNR NC Jan. 25, 1949, and on May 31, 1949, was commissioned in the US Navy Nurse Corps. Properly uniformed and with her new gold stripe on her nurse’s cap, she reported to the USN Hospital Great Lakes, where she met the sailor (Duane) she would marry in May 1950. This union would produce four children: Rebecca, Duane Jr., Ellen, and Daniel.
Barbara spent 61 years as an RN working in obstetrics, pediatrics, and geriatrics; ending her career with home nursing, as a chemical dependency counselor, and as a guardian ad Litem for children. Her life was dedicated to family and the improvement of health of perfect strangers, and at her death she retained her active RN license.
She touched many, many lives in her 81 years. Her grandchildren affectionately called her Mutter, as well as Gram. Many of her children’s friends growing up counted her as a surrogate mother, as well.
At age 65, Barbara took up riding and jumping lessons at Alpine Stables.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel J. and Doris E. (Mellon) Greenwald, and by one son. Daniel James on Feb. 28, 2007.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Duane; daughters Rebecca and Ellen; son Duane Jr. (Tammy); brothers Dan and Hugh; sister Doris; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Services were Friday, April 4 at 10:30 a.m., with visitation at 9:30 a.m., at St. Dunstan’s Anglican Church in St. Louis Park.
Arrangements were by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano.
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