Barbara A. (Furst) Cornwell

Barbara (Barb) inherited her angel wings on August 27, 2020, at the age of 77.  She was born to Walter and Mary (Hielscher) Furst on Sept 11, 1942.  She was baptized and confirmed at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Lake City, MN. She attended grade school in Oak Center, 7-8 grade at St. Johns Lutheran School and graduated in 1960 from Lincoln High School in Lake City, MN.

Barb worked at the Northwestern National Bank in Rochester, (with her twin sister Beverly).  They often wore the same clothes to work and of course sometimes, fooled the other employees who worked there.

Barb met her soul mate, Jerry Cornwell, at the Pla-Mor Dance Hall in Rochester.  On March 17, 1966 they married. The couple made their home in Grand Meadow, MN and together grew their family and farm. Barb was a devoted mother to her four daughters and homemaker extraordinaire. She often had warm homemade cookies, bread, or cinnamon rolls waiting for the girls when they got off the bus.  She enjoyed gardening and would share the produce with many family and friends.  Her garden was more than ordinary, it produced the fruits of the spirit as well:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control.  Her light shined bright even in the darkest days.  May her light shine through each and every one she knew and loved.

Barb was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in LeRoy, MN and was actively involved in church ministries. She volunteered often by; organizing the annual bazaar, Christmas Shoe Boxes and elderly shut-in boxes.  She was called and served in several leadership roles including session, Women’s Bible Study Group, and teaching Sunday School.

She was well known for her crafts and her sense of wit, including writing comical skits.  Even as we spent our final days with her, she smiled often and joked around.  One of her most precious gifts was her ability and patience to turn printed pictures into beautiful works of art through paper tole.  She mastered this skill quickly and made many keepsake pictures for family and friends.

We are honored to call this amazing woman wife, mom, grandma, and friend, and she will be forever cherished. 

Barb is survived by her husband Jerry Cornwell of Grand Meadow; her daughters: Kristin Cornwell of Rochester, Diane (Tom) Ellringer of Plainview, Elaine (Paul) Eckheart of Spring Valley, and LeeAnn Williams-Sifferle (Scott) of Plymouth.  She is also survived by 13 grandchildren (her pride and joy) Brett and AJ Ellringer, Corrin, Kaelyn, and Callie Lee, Josie and Landon Williams, Jayme and Dru Cornwell, Nick and Ryan Sifferle, Zach Eckheart, Ashley (Eckheart) Gracia; and 2 great-grandchildren Milagro and Khaleesi Gracia. She is also survived her siblings; Karen (John) Mack, Beverly Stoehr, Carol (Bill) Zabel, and Ralph Furst.  In addition, brothers-in-law Harvey Cornwell and Dalton Cornwell, sisters-in-law Therma Fitzgerald and Judith Dempewolf.

A visitation for Barb Cornwell will be held from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in LeRoy, MN on Sunday, August 30th. A Celebration of Life for Barb will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 31st at First Presbyterian Church in LeRoy.

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