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A celebration of life will be held for Barbara (Berg) Appleby from 12:00 - 3:00 PM on Saturday October 21, 2023 at The Starkeller Brewery (2215 N. Garden Street, New Ulm) for Barb Appleby, 65, of Maplewood who passed away unexpectedly on Monday September 18, 2023 while vacationing in Zimbabwe, South Africa.
Barb was born in New Ulm, MN in 1958 to Leo and Claire Berg.
She graduated in 1977 from New Ulm Cathedral High School, and then went on to Brainard Community College.
In 1984 Barb married Bill Appleby, and they resided in Maplewood, MN.
She worked for Excel Energy for 25 years and retired from there in 2017.
Barb's hobbies included; book club, crocheting, collecting art, playing in a dart league for the blind, and caring for her various seeing eye dogs over the years. However, most of all she loved animals and traveling.
In addition to contracting Type 1 diabetes as a child, which led to Barb losing her sight, she had several other major health issues over her lifetime, but through it all, she never complained and fought each battle head on and with courage. Many people that knew Barb admired her drive and determination to overcome all her life's challenges.
She is survived by her husband, Bill Appleby of Maplewood, MN; father, Leo Berg of New Ulm, MN; sisters, Patty (Ken) Osborne of Sartell, MN, Liz (Keith) Cooper of New Ulm, MN; niece, Samantha Steve; nephews, Parker Osborne, Alex Cooper, Austin Cooper; best friend and traveling partner, Wendi Oneil.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Claire Berg.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Barb's name to Guide Dogs For The Blind, PO Box 151200, San Rafael, CA 94915, or to the MN Humane Society, 475 N. Cleveland Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104.