Jennyffer Barrientos

Jennyffer Barrientos, age 39, of Northfield, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2026, at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina, Minnesota. She was born on October 6, 1986, in Guatemala to Kruscheff and Ligia Barrientos. Although she was raised in the United States and was grateful for the opportunities it provided, she remained deeply proud of her Guatemalan heritage and always carried her roots close to her heart.

She graduated from Northfield High School in 2005. After graduation, Jennyffer worked alongside her parents at Las Delicias and welcomed her first child, Yadel. She later earned her associate’s degree and began a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Three Links Care Center, where her compassion and dedication to caring for others shined. During this time, she welcomed her second child, Jenascia. She also worked at Applebee’s, where she met her longtime partner, Dan Browne. Together, they built a life and family, welcoming two more children, Thomas and Maya. Most recently, Jennyffer worked at Growing UP Healthy, part of the Healthy Community Initiative (HCI), her favorite job. She was a director of Community Outreach and loved being able to help people in her community.

Role at Growing Up Healthy

At her role at Growing Up Healthy Jennyffer was a tireless advocate who understood that a child’s success starts at home. Through her work, she connected families with vital early childhood resources, from health screenings and preschool scholarships to in-home educational support through the Parent Child+ program. Recognizing that children need a secure environment to thrive, she championed initiatives to repair deteriorating mobile homes and partnered with local agencies to provide basic household necessities for recent immigrant families. Jennyffer also worked relentlessly to overcome systemic barriers for her community, advocating for accessible transportation for medical needs and fighting for diverse, culturally representative mental health services in local schools.

Jennyffer was fiercely loyal and loved her family with all her heart. She took immense pride in her work and found purpose in helping others. Selfless by nature, she often placed the needs of those around her before her own. Her strength, resilience, and determination carried her through life’s challenges, and she faced each one with courage and grace.

Biography adapted from Bierman Funerary and Minnesota Women’s Press

Image by Minnesota Women’s Press taken by Sarah Whiting