Barbara Lee Danielson was born on May 19, 1941, in Lanesboro, Minn. She died unexpectedly on Friday, April 3, 2026. It comes as no surprise that Barb was chatting and making connections with the staff at Trinity Center at Luther Park just minutes before she died.
Barbara was the oldest of six children. Her parents were Lawrence and Gladys (Peterson) Danielson. She was baptized on June 17, 1941, and confirmed on May 20, 1956, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro, Minn. Barbara graduated from Lanesboro High School in 1959 and from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn., in 1963. She majored in Elementary Education and minored in History.
Barb’s undying love for teaching found her serving in many roles throughout her life, starting with several years of teaching in elementary school, kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. She taught many Sunday School and confirmation classes. Barb taught adult community education classes in Italic Handwriting and Norwegian Rosemaling, plus she led many Bible studies. She also worked for many years with adults and children who had special needs. Barb’s capacity to connect with and teach people of all ages and abilities was clearly a special gift.
Barb married Bernard Francis Daiker on February 14, 1969, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro, Minn., and to this union three children – Kristin, Susan, and Joseph – were born. One of the greatest joys of her life was becoming a pastor’s wife when Bernard became a pastor in 1989. She loved the privilege of giving children’s sermons that augmented her husband’s sermons each Sunday morning during their ministry together.
Barb loved writing poems, stories, plays, and letters. After her husband died in April 2019, she wrote two books about her life: “Memory Lane” and “Journey of Faith.” She loved public speaking and gave many speeches at churches and women’s groups throughout Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota. She had a great sense of humor, and, because of her Norwegian heritage, she loved using Ole and Lena jokes in her speeches.
Barb wrote so many letters during her life that it would truly be hard to quantify. She never forgot the birthdays of those she loved and would always send a card and a note, anticipating the timing of the mail service in order for the card to arrive on the exact day. Her yearly Christmas cards were enjoyed by many. Barb had many lifelong pen pals – friends from childhood, high school, college, and former churches. The “Round Robin” of letters that she started with her seven college roommates circulated for 63 years!
Barbara dearly loved her husband, children, and grandchildren. She felt extremely blessed by the family that God gave her.
She is survived by her two daughters, Kristin (Jonathan) Ide of Indianola, Iowa, and Susan (Neil) Grant of Des Moines, Iowa, and one son, Joseph (Wendy) Daiker of Nevada, Iowa. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Audrey Ide, Daniel Ide, Maren Grant, Jackson Grant, Grace Daiker, Simon Grant, and Nevaeh Daiker. Barbara also is survived by her five siblings: Larry (Betty) Danielson, Sandra Day, and Rebecca Danielson of Rochester, Minn.; Marcia Olson of Rochester, Minn.; and Lyle (Chris) Danielson of Spring Valley, Minn.; her two sisters-in-law: Mary (Stephen) Nelson of Rochester, Minn., and Sue Nelson of Austin, Minn.; and her many beloved nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband Bernie, her parents Lawrence and Gladys Danielson, her sisters-in-law Diana Danielson, Lois Svedine, and Harriet Daiker; and her brothers-in-law Denny Day, Steven Nelson, Orrin Olson, and Bob Daiker).
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 1, 2026, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Des Moines, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the following organizations: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church (Des Moines, Iowa), or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Online condolences may be left at www.ilescares.com.
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