Barbara J. (Uecker) Major

Barbara “Barb” J. (Uecker) Major, age 68, of Glenwood, died Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, as a result of injuries sustained when she was accidently struck by an automobile earlier in the day. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, October 6th, at Glenwood Lutheran Church with Pastor Katherine Rood officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday at the funeral home in Glenwood, with a prayer service beginning at 6:30 P.M. Visitation will resume Wednesday morning at the church, one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Bethlehem Lutheran Church Cemetery near Annandale, MN. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Barbara Jane Uecker was born on August 27, 1953, in Buffalo, MN. She was the fourth of five children born to Marvin and Irma (Koepke) Uecker. Barb and her siblings were raised on the family farm near Annandale. They were members at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Annandale and it is there that Barb was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She was a 1971 graduate of Mayer Lutheran High School. On July 15, 1972, Barb was united in marriage to Duane Major at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. The two first made their home on a farm near Howard Lake. In 1981, they moved to Glenwood and purchased a small convenience store in nearby Long Beach, which they operated under the name “Major’s Mini Market”. After 11 years they sold the store to focus on growing the lawn care service that they’d started known as “J&D Lawn Service”. In addition to helping Duane with the lawn service, Barb also started working at Tom’s Market in Glenwood that year. In 2012, after successfully operating J&D Lawn Service for 20 years, they sold the business. Barb continued her employment at Tom’s Market and earlier this year she marked her 29th year as an employee. She and Duane were proud parents to their two children, Michelle and Jason. They raised their family in the Lutheran faith and have been longtime members of Glenwood Lutheran Church.

Barb loved her family very much. She was so proud of them and eager to share with everyone what her children and grandchildren were up to. She was her grandchildren’s #1 fan and thoroughly enjoyed attending their sporting events and programs. Barb also loved her cat, Star, and she enjoyed bird watching in her yard and sitting around a bonfire with family and friends, whether at home or while camping. She had recently cutback her hours at work to part-time and was looking forward to having more time to go camping and travel. She was especially looking forward to celebrating her and Duane’s 50th wedding anniversary in July of next year.

Barb will be remembered by those who knew her as a friendly, kind woman with a quick warm smile. Those closest to her will miss her hugs and her customers and co-workers will miss her endless greetings. She was known to be dependable and hardworking; a trait that was instilled in her as a child growing up on the farm.

Barb was 68 years old when she passed away unexpectedly in the late afternoon on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at Hennepin County Medical Center, where she had been transported after having been accidently struck by a car near Tom’s Market early in the day.

Barb is survived by her husband, Duane Major, of Glenwood; her daughter, Michelle (Brian) Hofmann of Brooten; her son, Jason (Anne) Major of Cold Spring; five grandchildren, Alex and Madison Hofmann and Hayley, Hannah and Jack Major; her cat, Star;  two grand-dogs, Daisy and Riley; and grand-cat, Charlie; two sisters, Mary Ann (Ron) Geisinger and Jane (Tim) Mol, both of Annandale; two brothers, Myron (Joan) Uecker of Buffalo, and Ralph (Cheryl) Uecker of Maple Lake; her husband’s mother, Marcella Major; her husband’s siblings, Marlene (Kevin) Coplen, Gwen (Pat) Nienaber, Gloria (Steve) Long, and Dean (Sue) Major; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Irma Uecker; an infant daughter; her father-in-law, Benny Major; and her husband’s brother, Dennis Major.

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