Barbara Lucille (Bull) Voges

Here is the livestream link to allow those not able to attend Barb's service https://www.youtube.com/live/Y9lk_R7PusE

Barbara Voges, 94, of Bemidji, MN died Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.

Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at First Lutheran Church, Bemidji.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Bemidji.

Barbara Lucille Voges was born to Leona and John Bull at Clotho, MN in Todd County on December 21, 1931. She attended schools at Clotho, Tigard, Oregon and Blackduck High School. She married Richard Nord in 1948, they owned and operated Nord Trucking, Blackduck Bakery Cafe, Bemidji Transfer/United Van Lines, and the Turtle Club. They later divorced. A new and vibrant chapter of her life began when she met the love of her life, Ray Voges. They were married on June 29, 1979. Following the sale of her business, Barb retired in 1983, and she and Ray spent decades building a beautiful life together. They became “Snowbirds,” wintering in the South Padre and Harlingen areas of Texas. There, they filled their days with dancing, cards, golfing, and cherished time with dear friends. Barb was the ultimate hostess. Known for her legendary holiday parties and dinner gatherings, she lived by one cardinal rule: “Never run out of food.”  If six people were expected at her table, she prepared enough for twenty, ensuring that no one ever left her home hungry or unwelcome.

Her commitment to her community was equally immense. Barb was a lifetime member of the Legion and VFW Auxiliaries and served two terms as President of the Bemidji Does (Elks). She was also active in the Eagles Auxiliary and made history as the Charter Chairwoman of the First City Lions Club in 1999. Her decades of service culminated in the prestigious Melvin Jones Fellow Award in 2019. Her faith was also a central pillar of her life as an active member of the First Lutheran Church of Bemidji.

Above all, Barb was the matriarch of a vast and growing family. She took immense pride in her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, instilling in them her own fierce work ethic and the simple, vital importance of showing up when called.

Barb is survived by her four daughters, Linda Olson, Karen (Phil) Holt, Debbe (Gregg) Hanson, and Kim Nord; her son, Dennis (Cynthia) Nord; 14 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren and nephew and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters; her beloved husband, Ray Voges; and her son-in-law, Bud Olson.

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