Barbara Anderson

September 8, 1942 — October 6, 2024

Barbara Anderson, of Granite Falls, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Bethesda in Willmar.  A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 19th from 1 to 5:00 pm at Prairie's Edge Casino 2nd floor patio.  

Barbara J. Anderson - Mato Taota Win (Many Bears Woman, which means the Strength of Many Bears), 82, of Wood Lake quietly took her journey on October 6 at 1:10 p.m. after suffering from congenital heart failure. Barb was born September 8, 1942, in St. Paul. She grew up in the St. Paul area, attending Humbolt High School. She met and married Edward Bentzlin in 1963 and had five children. Although they entered the marriage with the best of intentions, it was less permanent than expected. 

Barb later married Wallace Anderson on July 16, 1977. and they had one child. Barb was a warrior advocate against domestic violence and was the director of the Marshall Women’s Shelter and Eagle’s Nest Shelter in St. Paul. She later was employed for over 24 years with Firefly Creek Casino which later changed to Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort, where she was Assistant Manager, HR Director, and Administrative Assistant. She cared so much about our Upper Sioux Community members finding their niche within the PECR workforce. She retired from Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort in 2017. Barb loved people and loved visiting and helping as much as she could. Barb was also a jokester and was very witty with the comebacks. Never a dull moment. 

Barb is survived by her children, Susan Marlow of New Brighten, Kat Preuss (Tim Peterson) of Wood Lake and Wyoming, Sonja Timmons (Marvin) of Granite Falls, Penny Binnebose (Daniel Trucker) of Montevideo, and Kevin Jensvold (spirit son) of Granite Falls; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Wallace Anderson, her two sons, Edward Bentzlin of Loudon, N.H., and Marine Cpl. Stephen Bentzlin of San Diego, Calif.; her sisters, Phyllis Burton of Rush City, Joan Lockwood of Forest Lake, and Jeanette Marlow of Granite Falls; and her brother Leonard Marlow Jr. of St. Paul; and by her parents, Leonard & Rosalie Marlow of Granite Falls. 

Barbara donated her body to science so that others can learn and go help others. She continued to give even after death. Barbara was a wonderful woman and she will be incredibly missed. 

Barbara’s Celebration of Life will be held on October 19 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the 2nd Floor Patio at Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort, Granite Falls. 

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Barbara Anderson, please visit our flower store.

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