Barbara Jeanette Lofquist

Barbara J. Lofquist, age 85, of St. Paul, formerly of Alexandria, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.

Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m., Saturday, February 5, 2022, at Church of St. Mary in Alexandria with Fr. Matthew Kuhn officiating.  Music will be provided by Luke VanOverbeke.  Full military honors accorded by the Minnesota Honor Guard, American Legion Post #87, Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #936, Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter #235, and the Marine Corps League Detachment #1409.

Interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery, Alexandria.

Visitation will be 5 p.m. until concluding with a 7 p.m., prayer service on Friday at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria.  The visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Barbara Jeanette Dovan was born on September 8, 1936, to John and Estella (Campbell) Dovan in Fairport, New York. She grew up in Fairport and graduated from high school in 1955.  Following her education, Barb entered the U.S. Army in 1956, and served in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Tokyo, Japan where she met her future husband, Arvo Lofquist.  They were united in marriage on January 17, 1959, in Tokyo.   Following her honorable discharge, the newlyweds moved to Glenwood, Minnesota in the early 1960's where they lived a few years before moving to Alexandria.  Barb raised her four sons and following the death of her husband, Arvo, began working at Pete’s County Market for nearly 20 years.  Barb loved her family and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and attending family gatherings. She was an active member of Church of St. Mary, and her simple Catholic faith was important to her. She was a proud Army veteran, huge football fan, especially the Vikings and Notre Dame, and loved the Christmas season. She absolutely loved Bingo and played up until two weeks prior to her death. She had the privilege to spend her last two years, living at her son, Walter’s home in St. Paul.  

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Estella Dovan; husband, Arvo Lofquist; five brothers, John, Jr., Frank, William, George, and Stephen; and four sisters, Jean, Mary, Patricia, and Susan.

Barb is survived by her four sons, Walter (Deborah) Lofquist of St. Paul, Kevin (Kay) Lofquist of Nelson, Jeffrey Lofquist of Fergus Falls, and Scott Lofquist of St. Paul; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers are her grandsons.