Barbara J. Westensee, age 60, resident of Grand Forks, ND, passed away peacefully and without pain on Thursday, November 20, 2008 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.

Barbara Jo Anderson was born April 28, 1948 in Lakota, ND, the daughter of Ervin and Lydia (Sitar) Anderson. She graduated from Lakota High School in 1966 and married Wayne Westensee in 1967. They raised their daughters, Carol and Cathy, in Grand Forks.

She moved to Bull Head City, AZ in 1988 and later lived in Las Vegas, NV and Long Beach, CA before moving back to North Dakota in 2000. She worked at the UND Housing Office and most recently the Chemical Engineering Department, where she met some of her dearest friends.

Barbara enjoyed hunting for a bargain at rummage sales, going out with her friends, and spending time with her family. Anyone who knew her knew her devotion to her four-legged children; therefore her family will be making donations in her name to her two favorite animal care facilities.

Barbara is survived by her parents, Ervin and Lydia Anderson of Lakota, ND; her daughters, Carol (Vince) Weible of Lompoc, CA, and Cathy Westensee (Rodney Fisk) of Michigan, ND; her brothers, Duane (Chloe) Anderson of Sheridan, WY, Dennis (Patricia) Anderson of Naperville, IL, and Larry (Tami) Anderson of Lakota, ND.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Jim Anderson.

Barbara's Memorial Service will be held at the Michigan Lutheran Church of Michigan, ND, on Saturday, November 22, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be the Reverend Sue Mackey. The organist will be Jason Flom. Interment will be private at the Lakota Cemetery.

Arrangements with the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota, ND.