Rose Ann Barber passed away peacefully in her sleep on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, at Independence Village.
Rose Ann was born on May 23, 1931 on the family farm in Gladwin, MI, to Mortimer and Dorothy (Baumann) Shea.
Rose Ann was the seventh of nine children. She spent her childhood years working on the family farm and once she graduated high school she moved to Midland to work at the Dow Chemical Company in the teletype department. It was while she was working that she met her future husband, Francis (Frank) Barber.
Rose Ann and Frank were married on May 1, 1954 at Sacred Heart Church in Gladwin by Rose Ann’s uncle Father Albert Baumann.
They were married 67 years at Frank’s passing. They moved to Auburn in 1955 and resided in this area all their lives. One of Rose Ann’s requirements for moving to the country was that they live near a catholic church. Frank and Rose Ann were members of St. Anthony’s church of Fisherville and later St. Gabriel’s in Auburn.
Rose loved her sweets and there was always fresh baked cookies at her house. She enjoyed attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, polka dancing and going for walks in the woods. She was always there to help a friend/family/ neighbor when needed.
Rose Ann is survived by her children: Karen (Daniel) Koehler, Mary Ann Smith, Dorothy (Kelly) Stradinger, Janet Foor, Cathy (Jim) Marker, Charles (Connie) Barber and Patty (Bryan) Schwab; 22 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren. Rose Ann is also survived by inlaws, Ronald Thomson, Betty Shea and Carol Newville.
Rose Ann was predeceased by her parents, in-laws; Francis and Ethel Barber; and son-in-law, Tim Foor; and all her siblings.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 30 from 4-7 p.m. at the Cunningham/Taylor Funeral Home, 312 W. Midland Road, Auburn Michigan. There will be a funeral mass on Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m., at St. Gabriel Parish, 84 West Midland Road, Auburn, MI 48611. Father Marc Hopps will officiate with burial at St. Anthony Cemetery (Fisherville) at 1:30 p.m. with immediate family. Visitation at the church at 9 a.m. until the time of service. There will be a prayer service at 7 p.m, on Friday evening, The family would like to thank Corso Care Hospice and the staff of Independence Village for all the love and care they have shown to Rose Ann and Amy from Blessed Sacrament Church who brought communion to mother every week.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Gabriel Parish, the Toni & Trish House or the donors favorite charity.