Barbara Lee “Barb” Mader, 75

Barbara Lee “Barb” Mader, age 75, of New Prague, died peacefully at her home with her family at her side on Sunday, February 9, 2025.  Barb was born on August 21, 1949, in Minneapolis, to Harold and Alice (Sinclair) Magnuson.  She attended Minnetonka Public Schools and graduated from Richfield High School.  On a New Year’s Eve blind date, she met LeRoy Mader, the man who would capture her heart.  They married on April 19, 1971, in St. Paul.  She began her career outside the home as a preschool teacher in Shakopee and once her two sons were in school, she went to work in quality assurance at CH Robinson.

 Barb loved all that went into creating a warm and loving home, a bit stubborn but always sweet.  She was determined to always “be in the know” and stayed connected with her sons and their families.  She and LeRoy were a team when it came to gardening: she enjoyed the flowers, LeRoy the vegetables.   When it came to canning the fruits of the garden, Barb took over and while she enjoyed cooking as well, there was “always room for just one cook in the kitchen”!  In any spare time she had, she enjoyed embroidery and reading romance novels, her favorite author being Kat Martin.

 Barb is survived by her husband, LeRoy of New Prague; sons, Brock (Tina Simonette-Mader) Mader of Le Sueur and Andrew (Molly) Mader of New Richland; grandchildren, Ethan, Riley, Vivian, & Allison; sister-in-law, Barb Bahr.  She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Ralph Magnuson.

 No services will be held.  

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