Barbara Larkin

An edited recording of Barb's service will be posted here to view as soon as available. It is with great sadness we share that Barbara Ann Larkin, 73, West Fargo passed away Friday, March 18, 2022 at Sanford Health surrounded by family and lifelong friends after a battle with stage 4 lung cancer. She was under the loving care of The Hospice House, located at Sanford Hospital in Fargo ND at the time of her passing. Left behind to mourn her death are her sons & daughters-in-law, her grandkids, extended family, and Barb’s multitude of friends. Barbara Thomas was born November 3, 1948, in Fergus Falls, MN to Harold and Joan (Poole) Thomas. She was raised as an only child in Moorhead, MN, graduating from Moorhead High School in 1966. She went on to receive her Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Education from at Minnesota State University-Moorhead in 1971. Barbara married Charles Larkin and they made their home in Horace, ND. From that marriage came the greatest gift of all, her 3 sons. She was a caretaker for all her family members and was very dedicated to her relationships with each of them. She made it a point to be present in their lives. When she became a grandma, her newfound focus was making memories with them. Barb worked at NDSU after college, enjoying her work and friendships made there. She also worked as substitute teacher for many years. Barb was then involved in the family businesses of Larkin Construction and Solid Comfort over the years. She contributed her innate talents of interior design and decorating. She had an eye for color. She wore many hats and especially enjoyed marketing their products at trade shows, “going to market” for the business and her talent for classic interior and product design. Barb’s life cannot be compressed into just a few lines of information. She was the ultimate friend; she was most generous, genuine, and kind. She was the epitome of organization: the greatest planner and list maker in the world (even her label maker had a label on it!). Her sons and their families agree that Mom had a checklist for everything: vacation planning, grocery shopping, holiday planning, etc. Barb’s daughters-in-law thanked her for training them well to be great husbands and fathers. She was an exceptional mother; she loved her family and friends unconditionally. She helped the boys navigate their lives, offered advice when asked and understood when that advice was merely “taken under advisement”. Barb will continue to offer her guidance even without her physical presence. Barb loved to attend concerts (especially WeFest) and watch sporting events her kids and grandkids were in. She loved experience everything life had to offer. She enjoyed being a member of her Northern Lights Corvette Club. At the age of 60 she learned how to ride her own Harley Davidson V-Rod and experienced the Sturgis bike rally with her sons. Barb loved to TRAVEL, whenever, wherever! She traveled with her family, her FUN Aunt Helen, her Moorhead school girl friends, the gals of her YaYa sisterhood group and her close friend, Pat Nicholson. Those travels took them worldwide and not surprisingly, Barb was usually already planning the next trip while on the current one. A planned trip with Barb was totally organized, fun, adventurous, and an out of the ordinary experience. She was the planner but also the instigator of many memorable times. Barb would want to be remembered as kind, calm, a loyal friend, generous and by her favorite names: MOM GRANDMA BEST FRIEND Barb was always willing to do anything, but she also liked to sit back and observe, while letting others be the goofy ones. She inherited this charming personality from her dad, who was well known for his sense of humor, his pranks, his smile, his kindness, and his world of friends. No one was a stranger for long after they met Harold, the same is true of Barb. “Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.” (Jean Anouilh) That is the gift we ALL received from Barb. Barb is survived by her children; Jason (Calie) Larkin, Fargo, ND, Ryan Larkin, Scottsdale, AZ, Brady (Jadie) Larkin, Fargo, ND; 6 grandchildren, Hailey, Gunnar, Jack, Lexi, Parker, and Liv Larkin; aunt Helen Byrne and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She is proceeded in death by her parents, Harold and Joan. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Boulger Funeral Home, Fargo ND. In lieu of flowers, it was Barb’s wish that donations be made to Gigi’s Playhouse, Make-A-Wish ND Chapter and/or Red River Children’s Advocacy Center. Funeral arrangements to celebrate Barbara’s Life: 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, West Fargo, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at the church. Family wishes for you to dress casually, as they want it to be a celebration of their beloved mom’s life. The service will be live streamed on Boulger Funeral Home’s website. Post Celebration will be at Brewtus Brickhouse, 635 32nd Ave E #108, West Fargo, ND 58078. All are welcome to join for food, drinks, music, and the sharing of memories. Barb's Video Tribute can be viewed below: