Barbara Naomi Gillie

Barbara was born August 10, 1941 in Hatton, ND to Berton and Natalie Johnson, Sr.  She grew up in Fargo, ND and graduated from Fargo High School in 1959.

She worked at the local drive in as a “skate girl” and thru friends she met the love of her life Gary Gillie. They were married on November 7, 1959 in Lidgerwood, ND.  Gary worked for the Soo Line Railroad as a telegraph operator so they moved quite frequently as the railroad would have them relocate where he was needed.   Some of the towns that they lived in were: Harvey, Kenmare, Fargo, Nekoma, Enderlin, Wishek, Lehr, Alvarado, and Wyndmere.   She would pack up her three little ones (Jeanette, Cherie and Mike) and get settled in to each town.   She loved her ’57 Chevy and she would race Gary’s friends and beat them.  He retired from the Railroad in 1973 and at that time they bought a little tavern in Waubun, MN that they named The Depot Tavern and Grill after his time at the railroad.  Barb worked alongside Gary and did whatever was needed to be done.  If a truck was going to be late for delivery she would pack the kids up and run wherever was necessary to get it.  After they sold the tavern in 1979 she was a homemaker where she would love to take care of her garden and flowers.  She also enjoyed baking, cooking for family gatherings, fishing, boating, camping, quilting and crocheting.  She loved being a mom and never missed a school program.  Later she would help transport female prisoners for the Mahnomen County Sherriff’s Department where Gary worked.   Years later after Gary passed she met John Bartos and they traveled, camped and went out on the boat. They were also avid bowlers and were on a couple’s team together where they did very well.

Barb is survived by her daughter Jeanette (Ron) Beiwinkler of Mansfield, OH and their children Isaac, Carly, Alexis (Tyler),  Cherie of Wahpeton, ND and Michael (Shelli) Gillie of Hawley, MN and their children Kirsten (Alex) and Kaitlyn, her sister-in-law Carol Ustipak and brother Bruce Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Gary, fiancé John Bartos and brother Berton Johnson, Jr.

A private family graveside service was held on Thursday July 8, 2021.  There will be a celebration of life planned for a later date.  The family asks in lieu of memorials to make donations to Hospice of the Red River Valley.