Phyllis Rosella (McMillen) Barnes, 100, of Rochester, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2026.
Phyllis was born on June 11, 1926, at home in Lenora, Minnesota, to Ralph and Petra (Paulson) McMillen. She grew up on the family farm and attended country school. Phyllis attended “normal” training to become a teacher and taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Amherst.
On June 15, 1945, Phyllis married Warren Roy Barnes. After living in Texas and California while Warren served in the military, they eventually made their home together in rural Canton, Minnesota, purchasing the McMillen family farm and raising Jersey cows. It was there that they raised their three children. Warren and Phyllis were active in the Henrytown Lutheran Church and kept busy with the children and their love of square dancing.
After the children were grown, Warren and Phyllis moved on to St. Paul where Phyllis worked for over 20 years at Control Data. They made many friends through their interest in bowling and playing card games, especially 500. Once retired, they spent time travelling and making new friends while wintering in Arizona.
Warren and Phyllis moved to Rochester in 2011 to be closer to family. Warren passed away in 2016.
Phyllis enjoyed playing cribbage, baking pies, and having weekly breakfasts with her Rochester family. She always stayed in touch with her tight-knit extended family and was able to Facetime, text, and keep up on Facebook, even as her vision began to fail. It was said that Phyllis was the bearer of the “kindness” gene in the family, which she passed on to a good number of her heirs.
Phyllis is survived by her children Starlet (Donnie) Brummer of Rochester, Dale Barnes of Sebring, Florida, and Linda (Bob) Sparrow of Orange, California; 13 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Warren, and her siblings Ruth, Flora and LeVerne.
We would like to thank the staff at Homestead Assisted Living for their care.
A memorial luncheon will be held from 11:30-1 on Friday, September 18, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home, 5421 Royal Place, NW, Rochester. A graveside service will follow at 3 p.m. at Henrytown Lutheran Church in Henrytown, Minnesota.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Henrytown Lutheran Church.
Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Barnes family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com
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