Barbara Ward

Barbara Joyce Ward (Ibach), 97, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2026, at Samaritan Bethany on 8th in Rochester, MN. She was born January 2, 1929, at St. Mary's Hospital, to Ray E. and Ada B. (Wurtzler) Ibach.

Barb graduated from Rochester High School. She married Donald Glenn Ward in Rochester, MN, on September 4, 1948. Their only child, daughter Cynthia (Cindy), was born in 1949. 

Barb and Don lived in Spring Valley, MN, from 1948 to 1966, when Don transferred to Northern MN. They moved to Nashwauk, MN, where Don was employed by Butler Taconite. They moved back to Rochester, MN, in 2003 to be near family and lived at Gramercy Park Cooperative. Don died in 2005, and Barb continued living there until October, 2024.

Barb loved family and friends. She enjoyed golf, bowling, bingo, and playing cards. She was also an animal lover, especially cats and dogs.

She is survived by her daughter, Cindy (Paul) Satre, and her grandsons

Chad (Angie) and Todd (Kristin), great-grandchildren (Brycelyn, Sam, Sophie, Riley, and Maddie), step great-grandchildren (Althea and Cecilia), and other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald G. Ward; her father, Ray E. Ibach; her mother, Ada B. Uhl; and her siblings, Beverly J. Washburn, Diane R. Maki, and Kenneth P. Ibach.

No services are planned. There will be a private family inurnment at Oakwood Cemetery, Rochester, MN, at a later date.

Online condolences are welcome and may be shared at MaxonFamilyCremation.com. Maxon Family is honored to serve the Ward Family. Clarity and simplicity are kindness to a grieving family. - Maxon Family.