Barbara J. Tuff

Barbara J. Tuff, 77, formerly of East Grand Forks, MN, died peacefully with loved ones at her side on Friday, October 2, 2015 at Valley Transitional Care Unit in Grand Forks. Barbara Jeanne Larson and her identical twin sister, Beverly Jane Larson, daughters of Arthur and Adeleen (Sandberg) Larson, were born on May 16, 1938 in Hallock, MN. The birth of the twin girls was big news in Kittson County. Barbara grew up on the family farm seven miles west of Kennedy, Minnesota and her farm chores included milking cows. She was baptized and confirmed at Red River Lutheran Church. Barbara attended Red River Country School, a one room school not far from the farm, for grades 1-6 and graduated from Hallock High School in 1956. She attended Bemidji State College where she was involved with Lutheran Campus Ministry, and where she met her husband-to-be on a blind date. Barbara was united in marriage to Donald Tuff in Bemidji, MN. on October 20, 1960. Through the years Barb and Don worked and lived in Bemidji, MN., East Grand Forks, MN., Faribault, MN. and Grafton, ND. Barbara and Don were blessed with three daughters, Karla, Lori, and Julie. Barbara was a homemaker and loving mother. Her volunteer work included Special Olympics and the Food Pantry. Wherever they made their home, Barb's life included active involvement in a church community. Don Tuff died on May 24, 1996. In 2002, Barbara moved to East Grand Forks. She was a member of United Lutheran Church. In August she moved to Tufte Manor in Grand Forks. Barbara is survived by her daughters, Karla (Peter) Coen-Tuff of Grand Forks, ND, Lori Tuff of Faribault, MN., Julie (Michael) Almquist of Fargo, ND; her grandchildren, Rachel, Matthew, and Sarah Coen-Tuff, and Anna, Kate, and Jack Almquist; her sisters, Arlette (Roger) Patrow of Spokane, WA, and Beverly Stai of East Grand Forks, MN; brother-in-law, Don Krenzel, St. Louis Park, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Donald, and sister Dorothy Krenzel. Memorial Services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 7, 2015 in United Lutheran Church, 324 Chestnut St., Grand Forks. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service in church. Interment will be in Red River Lutheran Church Cemetery, Kennedy, Minnesota. Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 S. 42nd St., Grand Forks is in charge of arrangements.