Barbara Louise (Zinck) Swantek

Barbara (Zinck) Swantek, 55, formerly of Fargo, ND, passed away unexpectedly on September 4, 2018 alone in her home in St. Cloud, MN. Barbara was the youngest of four children born to Frances (McCommon) and Howard Zinck on March 21, 1963.

From an early age, Barbara loved music and sports. She enjoyed playing flute and piccolo in the Fargo South High School band and orchestra, and singing in her high school and the First Presbyterian Church choirs. Her natural talents extended to biking, waterskiing, weight-lifting, and softball. Her joy and enthusiasm for life was contagious through her expert dancing - on feet and roller skates. She loved the outdoors especially while fishing.

After graduating from Fargo South High School, Barbara worked in administrative support roles. While at NDSU Central Duplication Office, she met her husband P. Matthew Swantek. Together they had three children whom they raised in Owatanna, MN. Barbara’s role as a full-time mother was her greatest joy. She was involved with the Early Childhood Family Education program connecting with other new mothers and their children. After her divorce in 2010, Barbara moved to St. Cloud, MN.

Barbara is survived by her children, Jasmine, Broderick, and Garrett of Carroll, IA; her father, Howard Zinck, West Fargo, ND; siblings, Denice Rich, New York, NY, Daniel (Stephanie) Zinck, West Fargo, ND; nieces and nephews, Chad (Lisa) Olson, Spring Valley, WI, Kyle (Kellynn) Zinck, Horace, ND, Alison (Adam) Schlecht, Fargo, ND, and Zachary Rich, New York, NY.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Frances Zinck and her sister, Charmelle (Zinck) Olson.

In Lieu of flowers, please make a donation “In Memory of Barbara Swantek” to the AuSome Kids Day Program; North Dakota Autism Center in West Fargo, ND.