Barbara Ann (Wolf) Freiborg-Benson (aka Grandma Barb) passed away on Monday, September 21, 2026 at the Olivia Hospital at the age of 87 after a brief illness. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Renville with Rev. Joe Steinbeisser as celebrant. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Renville. Visitation will be on Friday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the church. Arrangements are by Dirks-Blem Funeral Service, Olivia, MN.
Barby was born February 16, 1939 at home in Raymond, MN to John and Leona (Lies) Wolf. She was one of two children born to this union. She attended District 142 Country School through the 6th grade, transferring to Renville Public School graduating in 1956. In high school, Barby was involved in library club, choir, Glee Club, FHA, class plays and cheerleading.
After high school graduation, Barby moved to Minneapolis with friends and worked at the Lavoris Company and H.J. Minar Ford as a secretary. Her employment also included secretarial work at Porath-Kubesh Insurance Company and Chamber of Commerce for Olivia. To change things up she took a job at Curves, a position that she thoroughly enjoyed. Being a people person, she quickly made lifelong friends wherever she worked.
In 1959, Barby moved back to Renville and married LaRoy Freiborg. They were blessed with six children. In 1977, LaRoy passed away in a semi tractor accident. After raising six children on her own, Barby met and married Richard “Dick” Benson of Olivia, MN in 1992 and assisted him in raising his remaining children at home. Dick passed away in 2019.
Barby’s Catholic faith was very important to her. In one day’s time, Barby was baptized, received First Holy Communion and confirmed at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Renville, MN. Her involvements in CCW lead to multiple state positions. She also taught religion classes and was a lay distributor/minister.
Barby and Dick's love for travel gave them many opportunities to see the United States. With that, came many stories that a person would just shake their heads at and laugh. Barby was elected 1991-1992 National Singles Mother of the Year, an honor she was very proud of. When her children were young, Barby was a 4H Leader for the Danube Full of Pep. Another proud moment was when she was selected as Queen for the RenVilla Healthcare Center during Sugar Beet Days. Barby was known for her cooking and baking skills with banana bread, meatballs/sauerkraut and apple bars being a few of her specialties. Sundays often were known as the “lets meet at Barby’s” at the farmhouse outside of Danube.
Barb is survived by her five children: Jody (Pam) Freiborg of Willmar, MN, Dawn (Paul) Gartner of Olivia, MN, Robin (Jim) Kleinhuizen of Starbuck, MN, Lisa Freiborg of Reno NV/Whitefish, MT, Shawna (Ron) Asher of Minneapolis, MN, and daughter-in-law, Peggy Freiborg of Sacred Heart, MN; her 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by eight step-children: Jeff (Sandy) Benson of Olivia, MN, Larry (Lisa) Benson of Olivia, MN, Galen (Marie) Benson of Tucson, AZ, Marlene Benson of Deerwood, MN, Deb Tilton of Wasilla, AK, Jim Benson of Buffalo, MN, Darlene Benson of Olivia, MN, and John (Jennifer) Benson of Danube, MN; 18 step-grandchildren and 21 step-great-grandchildren. Barb was preceded in death by her parents, John and Leona Wolf; her brother, Michael Wolf; her husbands, LaRoy Freiborg and Dick Benson; her son, Todd Freiborg; and an infant daughter.
Blessed Be Her Memory
Dirks-Blem Funeral Service, Olivia, MN
(320) 523-1102 www.dirksblem.com