Barbara J. Escherich

Barbara J. Escherich,  76, Mason City, passed away Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021 at her home. A funeral service for Barb will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9,  at Schott Funeral Homes-Mittelstadt Chapel,  Lake Mills, with Mr. Kermit Singelstad officiating. Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, Emmons, Minn. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service on Thursday.
Barbara Jean (Bergerson) Escherich was born  Oct. 23, 1945 in Albert Lea, Minn., to parents Milford and Inez (Isaacson) Bergerson.  She was raised in the Lutheran faith and had been a member of Emmons Lutheran Church.  Barb attended and graduated from Emmons High School in 1963.
Barb was married to Donald E. Escherich, Sept. 14, 1963 at the Little Brown Churc, Nashua.  The couple first made their home in Emmons, then in Lake Mills for a number of years before moving to La Crosse, Wis. In 1999, after 13 years in La Crosse, Barb and Don moved to Mason City, where they have resided since.
Through the years Barb held a few jobs including being a CNA while in La Crosse, and running a daycare from her home in Lake Mills.  She was a great cook—some favorite dishes being goulash and German chocolate cake, she enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino, and she adored animals, especially her beloved dog, Jace.
Barb will be missed by her husband, Donald Escherich, Mason City; three children: Jim (Nancy Swaser) Escherich, Elk River, Minn.; Dan Escherich, Mason City; and Marianne (Bill) Dinges, Merrill, Wis.; grandchildren: Courtney Escherich, Dylan Escherich, Tanner Escherich, Marcus Escherich, Taylor Dinges, Emily Dinges and Billy Dinges; and a brother, Mike (Marcella) Bergerson, Seattle, Wash.  She is also survived by brothers- and sisters-in-law: Reuben (Linda) Escherich, Lyle (Deb) Escherich, Dianne (Jim) Sorenson, and Susan (Kyle) Helmick; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a precious granddaughterm Morgan Escherich; and two brothers-in-law, Robert and Wayne Escherich.