Barbara Lee (Allen) Korinta was born September 17, 1949 in Brainerd, MN, the daughter of Elbridge and Erma (Johnson) Allen. Growing up, she attended school in Brainerd where she graduated with the class of 1968. Following graduation, Barb received her LPN training in Anoka, MN, and began working at St. Joseph's Hospital in Brainerd.

On April 17, 1971 Barbara was united in marriage to Allen Korinta. While Allen served with the United States Army, the couple was stationed in various places both in the United States and overseas. Much of their time was spent in Western Europe where they began their family of four sons. Barbara spent 3000+ hours volunteering with the United Service Organization and received a special citation from General Schwarzkopf following Desert Storm. She also answered phones on the Crisis Hotline with Army Community Service. In 1993, Allen and Barb retired and returned to the Korinta Family farm near Ogema. Due to her deteriorating health, Barbara has spent the last several years going between the farm and nursing homes to rehabilitate. Barb died Monday, October 31, 2011, at the Mahnomen Heath Center Nursing Home in Mahnomen, MN, at the age of 62.

Over the years, Barb truly loved traveling and the many great places and breathtaking sites she was able to experience with her family. She also enjoyed board, video and computer games, in addition to puzzles and cards. Barb liked craft projects and could often be found rubber stamping, scrapbooking or sewing. She had a special place in her heart for angels and had collected many. In addition to their own sons, Barb and Allen, nurtured and raised several foster children over the years. Barbara was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Waubun, MN, and Zion Lutheran Church in Brainerd. She also held membership with the Ogema VFW Post # 9880 Auxiliary.

Barb is survived by her husband of 40 years, Allen of Ogema; four sons: Allen Jr. (Cheryl) Korinta of Mortons Gap, KY, Michael (Jennifer) Korinta of Winterhaven, FL, Edward "Joey" Korinta of Detroit Lakes, MN, and Wilbert "Willy" Korinta of Valley City, ND; seven grandchildren; her mother, Erma A. Peck of Brainerd, MN; three sisters: Adaline "Ade" Twombly of Merrifield, MN, Cathy (Sid) Berglund of TX, and Jan (Joe) Dirkes of Browerville, MN; brother, Eugene (Valorie) Hollingsworth of Mound, MN; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Elbridge in 1956, and two step-fathers, Henry Peck Sr. and Ralph Hollingsworth.

Memorial Services will be held Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 7pm at the Anderson~Mattson Funeral Home in Mahnomen and also Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 11 am at Zion Lutheran Church in Brainerd, MN. A time of gathering will be held one hour prior to both.

In lieu of flowers, monetary gifts will be used to purchase a memorial for Mahnomen Health Center Nursing Home in Barbara's name.