Barbara Ann Mears, 77, of Leeds, ND passed away Friday, August 14, 2026 at her home in Leeds, ND. Memorial Services will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, August 21, 2026 at the Leeds Lutheran Church with Pastor Sharon Baker officiating. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Leeds Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Leeds Ambulance Service: P.O. Box 361 Leeds, ND 58346 or to Altru Cancer Center: 960 South Columbia Road Grand Forks, ND 58201. Military Funeral Honors will be provided by the Leeds American Legion Post #101, York American Legion Post #268, Harlow VFW Post #757, and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Team.

Barbara was born December 13, 1948 to Nels and Clara (Pownell) Tostenson in Rugby, ND. She was raised and educated in Leeds, graduating with the class of 1967 from Leeds High School. Barbara enlisted in the United States Armed Forces after graduation and served her country honorably. She moved back home after duty and furthered her education at Lake Region Business College in Devils Lake, ND.

Barbara was united in marriage to William Mears in 1972 in Knox, ND. The couple made their home in Leeds, raising their children Donald, Katherine, William Jr., and Brittany. The family attended church and are members of the Leeds Lutheran Church, where Barbara was very active with the Leeds Lutheran Quilters.

Barbara worked at the Leeds Public School in the kitchen; she also operated a Daycare and babysat for numerous families and children. She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, and Monday Night BINGO! Barbara’s favorite pastime was spent with her family, enjoying every moment she could with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 53 years, William; children, Donald Ray (Wanda) Tostenson of Cando, ND, Katherine Mears (significant other, Joseph) of West Fargo, ND, William Jr. (Sandy) Mears of York, ND and Brittany (Chris) Brossart of Leeds, ND; 8 grandchildren, Melissa (Alan), Megan, Zachary (Sari), Cameron (Brooke), Chace, Shelby, Harper, and Gabby; 9 great-grandchildren, Delaney, Lindi, Sutton, Liam, Benjamin, Cooper, Bentley, Layne and Hensley; siblings, Bonnie Tuttle and Tim (Nancy) Tostenson; sisters-in-law, Marcia (Tostenson) Johnson, Laurie Tostenson, and Rhonda Tuenge; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Nels and Clara Tostenson; brothers, Terry, Clifford and Nels Jr.; sister, Betty; grandson-in-law, Andrew Givens; parents-in-law, Donald and Eva Mears; sisters-in-law, Bridget Mears and Susan Malchose; brother-in-law, Ron Tuttle; niece, SueLynne Gunderson; nephew, Cole Hoffert.