Barbara (Klimek) Peterson, daughter of Romie & Arlene Klimek, age 49 of Brooklyn Park, formerly of Glenwood died Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at home surrounded by her family.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, April 9th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glenwood.  Visitation will be from 9:30 until the time of the service at the church.  Inurnment will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Alexandria.  Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.  www.hoplinfuneralhome.com Barb was the fifth child of Romuald "Romie" and Arlene (Schjei) Klimek born on August 22, 1965 in Alexandria, Minnesota.  She grew up on a dairy farm near Glenwood, Minnesota and graduated from Glenwood High School in 1983.  She was baptized and confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glenwood.  Barb loved the farm life where she learned a true love of animals (especially her cats) while helping on the farm.  She liked fishing with her good friend Tammy.  She was active in 4-H, where she showed dairy calves, did crafts, cooking and flower projects at the county and Minnesota State Fair.  She was a basketball cheerleader and Pope County Dairy Princess one year.  Barb loved the outdoors and always stayed active.  Along with this came her passion for exercise, fitness and healthy eating. Barb attended Alexandria Vocational College for 2 years, studying fashion merchandising, and then went on to Stout University in Wisconsin to further her degree.  She met her husband, Craig Peterson, in 1987 and they were united in marriage September 9, 1995.  She worked in retail merchandising and other various jobs in the Twin Cities area.  They lived in an apartment for a year and then moved to their current home in Brooklyn Park in February of 1996.  Her children ("the twins") Mitchell and Morgan were born November 17, 1997.  Barb then became a full time mother to focus on her family in the kids' earlier years and then later worked part time at the Osseo School District working around the kid's school schedule, which eventually became full time working as the Food and Nutrition Coordinator. Barb was the best loving and caring mother there was!  She was a second mom to many.  She made her house the "safe place" for kids in the neighborhood.  Her love for the neighborhood kids allowed both them and their parents to know they were safe and being watched over by the best.  She was actively involved in her kid's lives and never missed their sporting or school events.  Barb even attended Mitchell's last hockey game this February. She always loved being with family and friends.  She always showed courage, determination and strength in everything she did in her life.  This was put to the test when she was diagnosed in April 2014 with a grade 4 Glioblastoma inoperable brain tumor.  Throughout her cancer journey she has continually displayed this strength, courage and dignity.  She never complained and kept looking at each new cancer treatment as a new chapter in her cancer journey and continued to make new memories along the way.  She continually amazed us all. Barb is survived by her husband of 19 ½ years, Craig Peterson; children, Mitchell and Morgan Peterson; parents, Romie and Arlene Klimek of Glenwood; father and mother-in-law, Wayne and Joyce Peterson; brothers, Kevin (Connie) Klimek of Glenwood and Gerald (Denise) Klimek of Glenwood; 6 nieces and nephews and 5 great nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by two infant brothers, Curtis and Leroy; maternal grandparents, Ole and Ella Schjei; and paternal grandparents, George and Ida Klimek. Barb's family, co-workers, and friends will dearly miss her.  What an honor and privilege it has been to have her in our lives and to be given this last year with her as we all know, is never promised.  She was our tireless, thoughtful, confident friend and family member and is now our guardian angel.