Barbara "Barb" Jane Highet

Barbara “Barb” Jane (Monahan) Highet, age 83, passed away Friday, May 15, 2026, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale, MN. Barb was born to Keith and Florence (Severson) Monahan on August 8, 1942, in LaJolla, CA.

Her parents moved back to Austin, MN, when she was young and she graduated from Austin High School in 1960. She went to The University of Minnesota for 1 year. The same year the Ken doll was introduced to the Barbie doll, Kenneth Highet married Barbara Monahan on November 18, 1961, in Austin, MN.

In 1973, the Highet family moved to Moorhead, MN, and Barb attended St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Fargo, ND, and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1980. Barb completed her bachelor’s degree in human services in 1981. While attending nursing school, Barb worked as a unit clerk at St. Luke’s Hospital and following graduation she accepted a position in the Intensive Care Unit as a Registered Nurse. In 1992, Ken and Barb relocated back to Austin, MN, for Ken’s job. Barb worked for St. Mark’s Nursing Home and later became a Long-Term Care Surveyor for The State of Minnesota and retired from Corbell Corporation in 1998.

Barb loved taking care of people. She enjoyed reading, camping, fishing and crafts but especially making stained glass projects. She was a great gardener and grew beautiful Christmas cacti in violet pink.

Survivors include her children, Curtis (Diana) Highet of Apple Valley, MN, Craig (Darlene) Highet of Osakis, MN, and Bryan (Jennifer) Highet of Pequot Lakes, MN; her grandchildren, Rachel Toland, Megan Highet (Kelly Fischbach), Christina (Dane) Halverson, Keith Highet (Lauren Martin), Emily (Shad) Grilli, Kyle Hughes, Ayden Highet, and Isabella Highet; great-grandchildren, Brooke, Derek, and Lillian Toland, Jovie Halverson, Angel, Ken and Enzo Grilli; brother, Ronald (Nancy) Monahan of Rochester, MN; sister-in-law, Glenda Monahan of Columbus, MS; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ken; her parents, Keith and Florence Monahan; father and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Lorraine Highet; and brother, David Monahan.

A memorial service for Barb will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Austin, MN, with Pastor Michael Peuse officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will be held at a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, where she will rest next to her beloved husband, Ken.

The family prefers that memorials be directed to organ donations at donatelife.net. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.