Barbara Kay Mehrkens

Barbara Kay Mehrkens, age 70, of Mazeppa, passed away in her home on August 4, 2021 surrounded by her family.

She was born in Lake City, MN on February 26, 1951 to Donald and Lois (Emerson) Rolsch. She grew-up in Zumbro Falls, MN and graduated from Lincoln High School in Lake City, MN. Barbara met the love of her life in March of 1968. While on leave from serving in Vietnam, Leon returned home to be married to Barbara on December 20, 1969 at St. John’s Lutheran in Mazeppa.  After their wedding Barb & Leon returned to Fort Campbell, KY to complete Leon’s service duties and then came back to MN and lived on a family farm near Oak Center, MN. Eventually they settled near Leon’s parents farm in rural Mazeppa Township. Together they raised three children. Barb accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and savior in 1974 and made it her mission to teach her children to know and love Jesus.

Barb loved to travel, cook, bake, and ride bicycle but most of all she loved spending time with her husband and raising her family. As she grew older and these things became more difficult she never gave up showing her family how much they were loved.

She is survived by her loving husband of 52 yrs, Leon Mehrkens; her three children, Jill Mehrkens, Jamie (Michelle) Mehrkens, & Josh Mehrkens; her four grandchildren, Katelynn, Tyler, Sheldon & Owen; brother, William Rolsch; sister, Diane Brown; and step-father, Richard Nelson.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Visitation will be held on Monday August 9, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mahn Funeral Home – Larson chapel in Zumbrota.

Funeral service will be held on Tuesday August 10, at 11 a.m. with one hour visitation prior at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Zumbrota.

Burial will take place at Pleasant Prairie Dale cemetery in Zumbro Falls following the service.