Barbara Louise (Nicholson) Schaar, age 86 of Tracy, formerly of Spicer, passed away peacefully Monday, October 21, 2024 at Our House Hospice in Slayton. Memorial Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, October 25, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Thursday, October 24 at Tracy Area Funeral Home. Burial will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery rural Walnut Grove. Memorials may be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Barbara Louise (Nicholson) Schaar was the only child born to Victor William and Mabel Alfreda (West) Nicholson on June 4, 1938 in Tracy, MN. She was baptized July 24, 1938 and confirmed May 25, 1952 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove, MN. Upon graduation from Walnut Grove High School in 1956, Barbara attended Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. She participated and competed in synchronized swimming, downhill snow skiing and the exceptional Macalaster Bagpipe Marching Band. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.
Her first and only teaching job was with Tracy High School. She taught physical education and health for 30 years. She was a strong advocate for Title IX Enactment, which incorporated girls’ athletics into the school system starting in 1972. She retired from Tracy, Independent School District 417 in 1993. Barb married Gary Dean Schaar on November 25, 1959 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Walnut Grove, MN. During their marriage, they had 2 children: Vikki and Terry. Barb and Gary settled in Tracy in the early 1960s. They purchased Tracy Lanes in 1974. She was a member of Tracy Lutheran Church, teaching Sunday school and assisting with Altar Guild for many years. Barb enjoyed bowling, snow skiing, water skiing, reading, traveling, visiting with grandchildren and going on family vacations. She and Gary wintered in Apache Junction, AZ for 30 years and spent summers at their beloved home on Lake Florida, Spicer, MN.
Barb is survived by her children: Vikki (Curt) & Terry (wife Lisa); 5 grandchildren: Jenna, Megan, Walker, Lauren & Kate; 5 great-grandchildren: Lucy, Carter, Jackson, Olivia and Tatum; sister-in-law Linda (Brian) Kosel; brother-in-law Paul (Barbara) Bouchard; and many extended relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Victor (1987) & Mabel (1991), husband Gary (2018), parents-in-law Arnold P. (1986) & Evelyln D. (2008) Schaar, brothers-in-law Merton (1993) & Mardy (2000) Schaar and sister-in-law Lorean Bouchard (1998).