Watch Barb's Mass and Burial Here

Barbara Ann Scherping passed away May 29, 2026, on the family farm in Waubun, MN. Barb was born January 16, 1940, in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota to Gordon and Mary Modey and grew up on a farm southeast of Ogema, MN.

Barb attended the Mission School in White Earth through the eighth grade and graduated from Waubun High School in 1958. She worked for the State of Minnesota and at the White Earth Clinic. Then she attended college at Moorhead State University and finally worked in the Counseling Department at North Dakota State University, until she married her husband, Edwin Scherping.

At a New Year's Eve dance in 1958, Ed and Barb met at the Rancho. They were united in marriage on December 28, 1963, at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in White Earth, Minnesota. They continued to make their home on the farm and raised their four children: Dan, Mark, James, and Susan.

Spending time at the family cabin on South Twin brought her a lot of joy. Barb loved knowing her grandchildren were building memories for years to come and she was grateful she could do that for them. She thoroughly enjoyed attending her grandchildren's high school activities which included a variety of sporting events, prom grand marches, and music performances. Her grandchildren were her world, and they truly loved her as well. Barb had a knack for making the holidays very special for her family. Her presence and meaningful touches will be greatly missed during the holidays to come.

Barb was an avid NDSU Bison football fan. Her family knew better than to call her or visit on game day; everything was put on hold while the game was on TV. On a few occasions, she even watched the Bison games on her phone during her grandchildren's religious events. One of Barb's pastimes was spent reading. She carried a book with her almost everywhere. At the cabin, she often read while sitting in the chair by the window or outside on the deck. This allowed her to enjoy her pastime, but also watch her family enjoy their time at the lake.

Barb blessed many with all of the special talents she possessed. Her children and grandchildren were recipients of many comfortable blankets and beautiful quilts. She shared her quilting talents by donating quilts to the Mahnomen County Historical Society to be auctioned off at their fund raisers. She also sewed many beautiful table runners that she donated as door prizes for the annual Women's Wisdom Day at the Catholic Church in Waubun. Barb loved to cook and bake. She showed her love for those through her food and her comfort food will be missed. She always had plenty of baked goods in the freezer just in case a neighbor or friend stopped in to visit and she would often bring baked goods to them.

She took pride in keeping the lawn and yard in tip top shape. Ed's pet peeve was having crooked rows in a field, but Barb's pet peeve was cutting the lawn crooked. There are a few family members that can attest to that! She planted a bountiful garden every year and her family and friends reaped the benefits. She enjoyed her flowerpots and flowerbeds. With help, this year's garden and flowers got planted.

Barb served her community well. She was an active member of the St. Ann's Church in Waubun. She was the President of the Ladies Aid for many years and was currently on the Church Council. She contributed countless hours to church dinners, breakfasts, decorating the entryway, and various planning meetings to serve the parishioners of the church. She was very committed to St. Ann's Church. She was a board member of the Mahnomen County Historical Society and a member of the General Federation of Women's Club-Library Club in Mahnomen. She was very involved in the Rise-N-Shine 4-H Club and Farmer's Union for many years. Barb also donated food to the Helping Hands Food Shelf. She definitely cherished the friendships she established through all of these organizations, but also with her dear friends of the Thrifty Homemaker's Club. A neighbor friend stated that Barb touched many lives in a very quiet way.

Barbara is survived by her children; Son Dan, Hawley, Minnesota, Son Mark (Tonya) grandchildren Talin (Eliza) and Katelyn, Maple Grove, Minnesota, Son James (Katherine) grandchildren Stephanie, Brianna, and Amanda, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and Daughter Susan (Greg) Garmen, grandsons Matthew (Angelina), Nicholas (Samantha), and Jackson, Crookston, Minnesota. Surviving is a brother, James and sister-in-law, Carol Modey, Hines, Oregon and sister-in-law, Yvonne Johnson, Fargo, ND.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Edwin; her parents, Gordon and Mary Modey; brother, Ed and sister-in-law, Rose Modey; brother and sister-in-law, Clarence and Erna Scherping; brother and sister-in-law. Albin and Marlene Scherping; and brother-in-law, John W. Johnson.

Barb will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and neighbors. Blessed be the memory of Barbara Ann Scherping.

Visitation will be at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Waubun on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with a Prayer Service beginning at 6:30. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Waubun, MN. Interment will be at St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery, Waubun.