Barbara Edith (Earl) Traff, 71, of Rochester, Minnesota, formerly of Austin, Minnesota, died Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, at Mayo Clinic Hospitals, St. Mary’s Campus, Rochester.

Barb was born on Feb. 6, 1945, in Owatonna, Minnesota. At a very young age, she was adopted by Elizabeth Griffin (Beattie) Earl and Francis Nelson Earl. She and her sister Mary Beth grew up in Austin and attended Austin Public Schools part of each year. For the other part of the year, she and her family traveled to Homestead, Florida, where she attended public school.

She married the love of her life, Lester Emil Traff, on July 8, 1961. They moved several times before settling in Oswego and Yorkville, Illinois. There they raised four boys: Robert, Brian, Michael, and Christopher. Barb was active in her community, participating as a den mother for Cub Scouts, a playground supervisor, a nurse’s aide, and a member of several bowling leagues. She enjoyed attending her boys’ activities. Her favorite pastimes were sewing and quilting and she was quite amazing at them. Though transplanted to Illinois, Barb and Les always considered Minnesota their home. When Les retired in 1996, they moved back to Austin.

Barb was a member of Crane Community Chapel and the Order of the Eastern Star. Barb loved her family dearly and was delighted when grandchildren came along. One of her favorite things to do was to tell those grandchildren how wonderful they were. Barb and Les were married for 53 years before Les passed away in July 2014. She was devoted to him and missed him greatly these past two and a half years. She moved to Rochester in April 2016 to be nearer to her oldest son and his family. She enjoyed her life as a part of the community at The Waters, the senior apartment complex where she lived. She was always looking for shoulders to rub or hugs to be shared.

Barb is survived by her sons, Robert (Elizabeth) Traff of Rochester, Brian (Kim) Traff of Montgomery, Alabama; Michael Traff and Amy Todd of Montgomery, and Christopher Traff  and Shay Ward of Montgomery; grandchildren, Emily (Eric) Ling, Joseph Traff, Laura (Andrew) Trader, David Traff, Jordan Traff, Carson Traff, Shelby Traff, Payton Traff, Hannah Traff, Lily Traff, and Brady Traff; her sister, Mary Beth (Paul) Zettler of Las Vegas; her sisters-in-law, Norma Bray of Austin and Leona (John) Detwiler of Austin; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Elizabeth Earl; her husband, Lester Traff; her sister-in-law, Gloria Traff; and her brother-in-law, William Bray.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Thursday, Dec.8 at Crane Community Chapel with the Rev. Dale Christiansen officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be at the church on Thursday from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.

Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.