Thissen, Barbara age 82, died on July 14, with her children, Susan Kennedy and Paul Thissen, at her side. A dynamo of energy, Barb was always there when someone needed a hand or something needed doing. And it always got done. Barb dedicated her life to teaching, especially those students who needed a little more time and empathy to succeed. She was one of those teachers who kids go to not only to learn a lesson to pass the next test, but would go to for advice and to share their most recent joys and sorrows. And they always found a listening ear and caring heart, not only at the time, but many years there after. She was the glue that brought and kept a lot of communities together - her extended family, her neighbors, her church, and so many others. She kept close friendships from childhood right until her final day. But above all, she was an amazing wife and partner to her husband Frank for 51 years until he died in 2014. And she was an incredible mother. She kept the house where the good snacks were so the house was always filled with the kids' friends. She was the troop leader, the bus driver to activities, spent hours at recitals, pools, sports fields - even successfully coaching soccer (a game she'd never seen played) by going out and getting a book about the game. In addition to her children, Susan and Paul and his wife Karen, Barb has five grandchildren of whom she was so proud, and who were blessed to spend lots of fun filled days with grandma. When she left us, you knew something big was gone. She will be missed. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Thursday July 23, 2020 at Church of St. Michaels, 22120 Denmark Ave., Farmington with a gathering of family and friends 1 hr. prior to Mass at church. Private Interment, Fort Snelling National Cemetery. White Funeral Home 952-469-2723 Condolences: whitefuneralhomes.com