Barbara JoAnn (Ellefson) Karau, 79, of Rochester, MN died on October 7, 2021.

Barbara was born on April 16, 1942 in Rochester, MN to Herman and Mable Ellefson. In 1960, she graduated from John Marshall High School. In March of 1963, she married Gary Karau. She worked with Northwestern Bell / US West for over 30 years.

After retiring, Barb and Gary loved to travel. They went on 5 cruises, Hawaii, Alaska, Mediterranean, and the Bahama's. They also traveled throughout the United States to both the East and West Coasts.

Barb was a longtime member of Peace United Church. She loved her church and taught bible study for several years, was Funeral Chairman, and belonged to Miriam Circle and Senior Saints. She also loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Barbara is survived by her daughter, Pamela (Lan) Quang of Whittier, CA; son, Daniel Karau of Rochester, MN; grandchildren, Andrea (Gabe) Paredes of Whittier, CA, Adam (Eleanor) Quang of Worcester, MA, and Bailey Karau of Rochester; great-grandchildren, Nadia and Evelyn Paredes of Whittier, CA; sisters-in-law, Char Ellefson of Rochester, Jean Karau of Albert Lea, MN, and Glenda Andrist of Rochester.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Karau; her parents; brother, David Ellefson; and sister, Margie Creech.

The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at Peace United Church of Christ. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens. Masks are required by Peace United Church of Christ.

Memorials are requested to Peace United Church of Christ or Samaritan Bethany.

For livestreaming information, please go to Peace United Church of Christ's webpage for the link: https://www.peacechurchucc.org/

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com .