Barbara Louise Schmidt, 81, the last remaining child of Martha M. (Freudenburg) & Alfred H. Schmidt, passed on April 26 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Cottonwood, Idaho.  Barb was born on July 18, 1942, in Fremont, Nebraska. She was the fourth child of Martha & Alfred, joining siblings Al (Junior), Donna, and Jim.  Brothers, Bill and Paul, followed later to create a family of eight. As a small child, Barbara developed a cognitive disability due to an accident, yet this did not impede her good-natured and generous demeanor throughout life.

Barbara (Barb) grew up in Nebraska and attended schools in Fremont.  After Barb’s dad, Alfred, passed in 1971, she and her mother, Martha, moved first to Norfolk, Nebraska and then in 1976 to Grangeville, Idaho to be closer to their family who had already relocated to the area.  For many years Barb enjoyed raising and caring for her parakeet birds. She had several throughout her life and always named them, “Chippy.”

During her life, Barb lived in several different group homes in Boise, Grangeville, and Winchester. While in Boise, she worked at various businesses through The Arc organization and had the opportunity to travel to Disneyland, Universal Studios, take a California cruise, and on numerous occasions attended the Horseshoe Bend train theater. When living in Grangeville, Barb participated in Opportunities Unlimited, Incorporated (OUI), and received the 2016 OUI Participant of the Year.

Barb loved doing word searches, completing puzzles, and shopping, especially at Walmart with her niece, Gina, who lovingly managed her care.  She loved Diet Coke & Peanut M&M’s, kittens, and the color yellow.  Barb especially enjoyed her birthday celebrations and family Christmas gatherings, and would always bring Hickory Farm packages and Christmas cards for all the family.  

Barb was a kind and cheerful person, who courageously adapted to many different living situations, making friends easily. She loved her family and had an exceptional memory, with the ability to recall many family events down to the last detail and easily recite the birthdates of her siblings, and all nieces and nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her mother and father and her siblings Alfred Schmidt, Donna Thulin, James Schmidt, William Schmidt, and Paul Schmidt.  She is survived by her caregivers and residential family at Lakeside Assisted Living & Memory Care in Winchester, her sister-in-law, Irene Schmidt, brother-in-law, Ralph Thulin, 24 nieces and nephews, 40 great nieces and nephews, 41 great-great nieces and nephews, and 5 great-great-great nieces and nephews, earning her the beloved title of “Aunt Barb.”

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, May 17 at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

Barb’s remains will be buried next to her father and mother at the Memorial Cemetery in Fremont, Nebraska. Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville. Send condolences to the family at blackmerfuneralhome.com.  

Memorial gifts in honor of Barbara can be made to The Arc, 4402 West Albion Street, Boise, Idaho 83705; Opportunities Unlimited, Inc. 325 Snake River Avenue, Lewiston, Idaho 83501; or a charity of your choice.  Blackmer Funeral Home of Grangeville is in charge of arrangements. 

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Barbara L Schmidt hosted by Blackmer Funeral Home.