Obituary of Barbara Mae Highland

Barbara Mae (Sandretzky) Highland, 89, of Clover Valley, passed away on May 6, 2016, in the Minnesota Veterans Home in Silver Bay. Barbara was born Jan. 26, 1927, in Duluth, to Evelyn and Merrill Sandretzky. She married Bruce Highland in January 1949. They purchased their 80-acre dream farm on Hill Road, where they raised three children and resided for over 50 years. Bruce and Barbara traveled in their camper to California, Alaska multiple times, Florida, D.C., Texas, Utah, Colorado, Arizona and all points in between. For years, every spring they went fishing in Canada with friends and family. Barbara enjoyed gardening, walking and skiing with her dog into her eighties, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and spending time at the Shack in Brimson. Barbara was a good dancer, a good figure ice skater, a good cook, a good mother and enjoyed music. She hated sewing machines and vacuum cleaners, though she used them regularly. She was a live wire and a character in her own right. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 65 years, Bruce; three brothers, Bob, Jim, and Shorty; and sister, Kathleen Griffin. Barbara is survived by her sister, Joyce Rothman, and brother, Bill Sandretzky both of Tampa, Fla.; children, Roberta (Robert Archibald) Highland of Homer, Alaska, Bruce Jr. (Barb) and Sandra Voltz, both of Two Harbors; grandchildren, Kristina Loining and Brad (Christy) Voltz; four great-grandchildren; and her little dog, Daisy. The family wishes to extend its warmest thanks to the amazing staff at the Minnesota Veterans Home for the kind and thoughtful care given to Barbara. No service will be held at her request. A Celebration of Life will be held later in the summer. Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Minnesota.