Barbara J. (Linden) Dodd

Barbara Jean Dodd, 68, of Isanti, MN passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at her home.

She was born January 11, 1957 in Cambridge, MN to Norman and Sena (Opsahl) Linden.  Barb grew up in Cambridge and graduated from Cambridge High School in 1975.  She then went on to the University of Minnesota – Duluth, which she chose because of the ski hills.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science.

A Halloween party in 1984 changed Barb’s life, as she met James Dodd.  On June 1, 1985, they were united in marriage in Cambridge.  They raised three daughters, Alexandra, Samantha, and Mackenzie.

Barb was the heart of her family and made everyone who entered her home feel welcomed and loved.  She ensured that her children had every opportunity for fun growing up and that their friends felt at home when they came over.  As her kids reached adulthood, she became their friend and someone they each strived to emulate.  She was the best mom.

Jim used to refer to Barb as the Mother Theresa of Cambridge.  She had the patience of Job if you were below 3 feet tall.  She loved children and she worked many voluntary hours for “the kids”.  When it came to working with children, in reference to breakfast, Barb was like bacon and not eggs – she was committed. 

Barb loved her grandchildren like bacon – she was committed.  She never thought she would have any and suddenly she had 4 within a year and a half.  She took on the role of ‘Grandma Daycare’ which turned her home into a child’s dream playground.  She couldn’t go shopping without buying another toy, which she jokingly called a ‘business expense’.  Becoming a grandmother gave her a new purpose in retirement and she looked forward to watching her grandchildren grow and participating in their lives.  When she wasn’t busy with her ‘Grandma Daycare’, she enjoyed reading and spending summers with her family down by the lake.

She will be missed.

Barb was preceded in death by her father Norman Linden; mother, Sena Linden; brother, Brian Linden; aunts, Mary Hanson and Alma Willems.

Barb is survived by her husband, Jim; daughters, Alexandra (Matt) Godbout of Stacy, Samantha (Dustin) LaBarre of Vadnais Heights, Mackenzie (Weston) Bongiovanni of Elk River; four grandchildren, Madelyn Godbout, Lenora Bongiovanni, Micah Godbout, and Charlie LaBarre; brother, Bruce (Kathy) Linden of Princeton, other relatives and friends.

Celebration of Life  1-4:00 PM, Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Carlson-Lillemoen Funeral Home.

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