Barbara A. McCormick

Barbara Anne McCormick died in CHI St. Alexius Health Hospital on November 9th in Devils Lake, ND at the age of 85. Barb was an only child, was never married, and didn’t have children. That doesn’t mean she didn’t have a loving family. Family isn't always blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs. The ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what. She is survived by family Steven, Barbara, Matthew and Kayla Britsch; Mary Lundy, Emery and Ivan Lundy-Sletteland; Eric, Corrine, Britt, Taylor & Jenna Aasmundstad; Kyle and Wade and Susan Olsen; Tony, Lara, Haley & Blake Prozinski all of Devils Lake, ND. She is also survived by her special cousin Patricia Vogel from Grand Island, NE and several cousins around the United States. She was preceded in death by her parents James and Maude (Raine) McCormick and a baby sister. Barbara was born on July 23rd in Devils Lake, ND to James and Maude (Raine) McCormick. She grew up in Devils Lake and lived for a short time in Churches Ferry. She graduated from Devils Lake Central in 1949. She graduated from Cottey College in Missouri and had also attended University of Wisconsin in Madison. She lived in Brownsville, Texas for many years and owned her own travel agency. She moved back to Devils Lake in the mid 1980’s to care for her parents. Barbara was instrumental in having over 55 properties in North Dakota being placed on the National Register of Historic Places. She was a generous member of the community and state who was passionate about giving back. She was an active and dedicated member of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Pioneer Daughters, Delta Zeta Sorority (65-year member), ND Historic Preservation Committee, DL Historic Preservation Committee (Sheriff’s House), Rainbow, Eastern Star, Cottey College Alumni Association, DL Tourism and Chamber Committees, District #15 Republican Women, ND Republican Party Member, LR Heritage Center Board, ND Chautauqua Board, a Rebekah, Churches Ferry Alumni Association, Member of the First United Methodist Church, Class of 1949 Reunion Chair, Community Concert Association, and Fort Totten State Historical Society. She was named Unsung Hero for the Lake Region, and was named DL Citizen of the Year in 2001 by the Chamber of Commerce. Barb enjoyed playing bridge with her bridge partner Linda Culmer for many years. Her bridge club friends are who she spent most of her time with. She was a part of a friendship group called the Birthday Club that included special friends Pat Olsen, Anne Britsch, Marge Jallo, Elinda Johanson, Evon Thompson, Maxine Frank, Irene Gloger, Karen Liere, Ilean Maetzold, Barb Walsh, Marlene Jorgenson, and Harriet Knudsen. Clayton and Cathy Henke farmed Barb’s farmland for many years. It’s now being farmed by Eric and Taylor Aasmundstad. Barb and Trish Schindele of Devils Lake were co-chairs of the successful DL Central “Save a Seat” refurbishing project. She kept in close contact and remained friends after high school with Beverly Hall Lee (deceased) of Devils Lake and Sharon Frith Demco of Merritt Island, FL, and her friend and long-time employee from Brownsville, TX, Maribel Nieto. Lena Jaeger and Cindy Schmidt of Devils Lake were trusted and loyal employees of Barb’s. She enjoyed going on adventures and attending many events at the Chester Fritz with her dear friend Mary Lundy. Barb was a snappy dresser and didn’t like to go out and about without looking her finest. For many years Paula Hasse Anderson cut and styled Barb’s hair. After Paula closed her hair studio Barb enjoyed her trips to the True Bliss Salon to have her hair and nails done and appreciated the great service and conversation she had with Jami Hall, Jordin Lange, and Megan Gullickson. Barb was never alone on the holidays and spent many of them in the home of Clayton and Cathy Henke, Steven and Barbara Britsch, and Tony and Lara Prozinski. She loved animals, especially cats and had an extensive ceramic and art cat collection. She donated to many animal-related charities as well as dozens of others. Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m. Friday, November 11th at First United Methodist Church with the funeral scheduled for Saturday, November 12th at 1:00 pm. A reception will follow the service at the church. Pastor Lori Broschat will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Barb’s life. Please send memorials to the DL Sheriff’s House, Masonic Temple, or Devils Lake Public Schools Development Fund (Fine Arts Center) in care of Lara Prozinski, 302 15th Ave. SE, Devils Lake or ND Chautauqua, PO Box 932, Devils Lake. Condolences can be sent to Lara as well. The family would like to thank Barb’s wonderful caregivers for their unending love, kindness, and devotion to Barb as they became family to her as well: Annalise Janehnre, Amanda Helgeson, Brittany Harris, Helen Schuster, Jolene Kostecki, Jessica Lordson, Kelsey Schlenk, Lisa Grafsgaard, MacKenzie Irwin, Penny Keck, Diane Hill, Rose Rockvoy, Sheila Moen, Trista Hill, Trish Schindele, Tina Thompson, and Paula Schmid, Judy Daniels, Pam Kenner, Amber Lara, Kathleen Nelson, and Beth Schneider. If we missed anyone, it wasn’t intentional. We’d also like to thank the staff at St. Alexius and Altru Home Health and Hospice for the respect and kindness they showed to Barb in her final days. Pallbearers for the service are Steven and Matthew Britsch, Eric and Taylor Aasmundstad, Kyle and Wade Olsen, and Tony and Blake Prozinski.