Barbara Jean Cragoe
May 6, 1943 ~ October 17, 2019
Barbara Jean Cragoe, 76, Sioux Falls, went to her Heavenly home on the evening of October 17, 2019, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Visitation will be 2-4pm, Sunday, October 20, 2019, at Heartland Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be 1pm, Monday, October 21, also at Heartland Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne, MN.
Barbara Jean Stoterau was born May 6, 1943, in Luverne, MN to Leroy and Evelyn (Hofelmann) Stoterau. Barb was the second of four children. As a small child she developed a strong faith even before she attended school in Luverne, MN. Barb was always a great help to her mother with her siblings whom she loved very much. The family moved to Jasper, MN where Barb attended high school. She had many friends that she has kept in touch with over the years. She had many dinners and gatherings with these friends along with the love of her life, Ronald Gene Cragoe. Ron captured her heart and convinced her to marry him, and on November 26, 1961, Barb and Ron were married in Luverne, MN. To this union three children were born; Darci, Sheri and Kelly.
They made their first home together in Beaver Creek, MN. In 1963, they moved their young family to Sioux Falls, SD, where Barb was kept busy taking care of their home and children while Ron served in the military. In 1967, they moved their family again to Brandon, SD. They attended United Presbyterian Church where they made many friends. Barb began driving school bus for the Brandon school district in 1975. Barb would always memorize each and every child’s name. If you were on her bus, you had better behave! In the mid 80s, the family moved to Rapid City, SD for a number of years.
After retirement, Barb and Ron shared their time between their summer home in Sioux Falls and their winter months in Harlingen, Texas. While in South Dakota, Barb loved going to dirt track racing and watching both from the pits and then later, from the stands. She was a lifetime fan of racing but we cannot forget about her love for Twins baseball either. While in Texas, she loved to play games and participate in their trailercourt’s potlucks (with her beans and deviled eggs) at the community room. She and Ron saw the world together. Her favorite place to travel was said to be “away”. One of her favorite trips was a European circle tour the couple took in the 1990s. Barb also enjoyed spending time visiting with her many friends.
Her greatest enjoyment came from simply spending time with those of us who have loved her. Barb would like to ask that you all continue to love each other as she has loved you. Her smile was infectious and her laughter contagious. To know her was to love her. Her love for everyone is evident by the many people who are thankful to have been able to share her life and love her as if she were a part of their family. Even in her last weeks, Barb always said she was so blessed.
Blessed to have shared her life are her husband, Ron Cragoe; her children, Darci (Todd) Sharlow, Sioux Falls, Sheri Rozeboom-Kloes, Hills, MN, and Kelly Cragoe, Springfield, SD; four grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren; also blessed are her three siblings, Keith Stoterau, Karen (Dan) Brenner, and Marvin (Carol) Stoterau, all of Sioux Falls.
Her parents, along with other family members have left this world to prepare Barb’s Heavenly home and have awaited her arrival.
I am so sorry to hear of Barb’s passing. I wondered about the decreasing e’mails from Barb as we had been exchangers of our JHS Class of 1961 classmate’s activities. I will miss our friendship and the updates about old friends. My deepest sympathy to Barb’s family
RIP mom. I love you and will see you again some day. You will be missed. I would say try to keep Michael and Gary under control but I know it’s a lost cause.
Sheri and family:
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. I’m sure this was devastating not only to you kids, but also to Ron. We have very fond memories of your mom and we always will. After reading obituary we learned some very positive things about your mom. She definitely had a warm and friendly smile that no one will ever forget. Her love for her family and for God is amazing. The best legacy we can ever leave to family and friends is how much we loved the Lord. There were many reasons your mom left you all with a good legacy — and her love for Jesus was the best.
Your mother will be missed by all of us and even more so by her family. We pray that God will bring comfort to each of you during this difficult time. Our prayers go out to you and your entire family.
Bob & Doris Miller
Ron and family, I was so sorry to hear that Barb had passed away. I know that you will miss her greatly but she will live on in your hearts and memories. A part of her will always be with you. Bonne
So sorry for your loss of your Mom. She was a good neighbor many years ago and also a good bus driver to the kids. They enjoyed her. Many good memories. Nelva Bose
Barb truly was a wonderful person. I will miss seeing her and her positive attitude she always shared with me. My thoughts and prayers are with you today and the days ahead!
Remember many slumber parties at her home in Jasper.Rest in peace to a old frie