Barbara Ann West

Barbara Ann West, age 79, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, died March 10, 2026 at her residence.

Born December 10, 1946 in Detroit Lakes to Thomas and Avis (Lien) West, Barbara grew up in her hometown and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1964. She moved to Richmond, Virginia to attend college, where she earned her R.N. degree. Returning to Minnesota, she worked as a nurse at the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo, North Dakota. She later attended Moorhead State University and became a Nurse Practitioner. Barbara then spent several years in San Francisco, California, serving as a nurse practitioner at San Quentin Prison before returning to Detroit Lakes. She married Harry Salminen, and the couple made their home in Detroit Lakes. She concluded her career with Essentia Health in Detroit Lakes and the Barnesville Lake Region Clinic.

Barb loved the outdoors and lake living. She found joy in flower gardening, socializing with her Wine Club, and had a special place in her heart for dogs.

She is survived by her brother Al West of West St. Paul, Minnesota; her sisters Evie Grignon of Hopkins, Minnesota, and Jane (Steve) Spaeth of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her beloved Goldendoodle, Piper. She was preceded in death by her husband Harry, her parents, her brother Thomas West, and three nieces, Amy, Sarah, and Kate.