Barbara 'Barb' Marchant, 83, Minot, formerly of Surrey, ND passed away Tuesday, August 15, 2017 in a Velva nursing home surrounded by her loving family.

Barbara Jean Marchant was born November 23, 1933, in Westville, Nova Scotia, Canada to Ronald and Viola Carrigan. She was reared and educated in Westville, attending school through the 8th grade. To help support her family, she began working at Goodman's Department Store. As a young woman, Barbara loved speed skating and going to dances with her sisters and good friends. It was at one of these dances, in 1955, that she met Kenny Marchant. It didn't take long for Barbara to know that Kenny was the love of her life. On February 6, 1957, they were joined in marriage in Westville.

Barbara and Kenny moved to Williston, and shortly thereafter moved to Minot where he started working for Burlington Northern Railroad, and she worked at Lydia's Caf, Buttrey's Women's Store, and JC Penney. In 1969 they moved to Surrey. For the next several years, she remained at home to raise her children. In 1985, she started working for Surrey High School in the cafeteria. She truly enjoyed interacting with all the students and faculty. In August of 1987, Kenny passed away suddenly at the age of 54. Barbara remained at the school until her retirement in 1995. She moved to Minot in 2004, and during her time in Minot, she lent a hand at Town & Country Credit Union with the monthly statements. She served as President of her condo association while residing there.

Barbara was extremely proud of her Canadian heritage, and cherished the time that she spent visiting with her family and friends in Canada. One of her proudest moments, however, was when she became an American Citizen in 1980. Barbara was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church of Minot, where she was an active volunteer in the food pantry.

Barbara had a great sense of humor and simply had to be busy. She loved to dance and became very active in her singles group where she served as secretary, and planned many of their events. She met some very treasured friends during her involvement with the group. Barbara's true passion was the love she had for her family. Her children and grandchildren always came first, and were forever on her mind. Road trips with her friends and spending time with her family gave her the most joy. She will be remembered with love and her memory will be carried on through her family.

A very special thank you to the wonderful staff at Souris Valley Care Center in Velva for the exceptional care and love they gave to our mother. They are the best!

Barbara's is survived by her daughters, Theresa (Bryan) Feist, Pelican Lake, MN, Tammy (Ron) Solberg, Minot, ND, Tracy (Randy) Bertsch, Garrison, ND; sons, Tim (Sharlatte) Marchant, Minot, ND and Tom (Amy) Marchant, Bismarck, ND; grandchildren, Joey (Amanda) Solberg, Amanda (Zach) Keller, Ashley Marchant, Adam Marchant, all of Minot, ND; Jaeger Marchant, Brooks Marchant, Bismarck, ND and Hunter Bertsch, Bottineau, ND; one great granddaughter, Quill Keller, Minot, ND; two brothers, Vernon and Carl Carrigan, Nova Scotia, Canada; and two very special friends, Betty and Alan, Minot, ND.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenny; son, Ronald; sisters, Anna (Jack) Kyle, Agnes (Allan) Campbell, and Theresa Carrigan; mother- and father-in-law, Adelia and Ted Marchant and brothers-in-law, LeRoy Marchant and Leland Marchant.

Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, August 19, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Friday, August 18, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and its food pantry or Souris Valley Care Center, Velva.