Barbara Jean Burbach Waldschmidt passed away peacefully on February 6, 2022 in Omaha, NE with her favorite (and only) daughter, Heidi Waldschmidt Winters by her side. Barb was born May 5, 1946 in Yankton, SD to Reiny and Martha Burbach. Barb was the oldest of 6 and the designated ‘mini mom’ and organizer of her young siblings. Most of Barb’s childhood was spent in Hartington, Nebraska surrounded with cousins from the Burbach and Langerferman families. The family moved to North Platte Ne where Barb graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1964. Here she met the love of her life, Jim Waldschmidt. The two were married on May 20, 1967 at St. Patrick’s church in North Platte and were happily married for 48 years. They had one daughter, Heidi Winters who now resides in Omaha.
Barb attended the College of St. Mary’s in Omaha for a year and graduated from the St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Radiological Technology in Lincoln, NE. Barb and Jim settled in North Platte and lived there until 2015. Barb worked as a Radiology Tech for over 30 years at Great Plains Regional Medical Center, where she helped to train and mentor many radiology students and made life-long friendships. She was known for her witty sense of humor and smart-comebacks. She was the life of the party and was the party planner extraordinaire, and loved social gatherings of all kinds, at least in her younger days.
Barb enjoyed crocheting, and made many baby blankets for family and friends. She was known for her protective and nurturing nature (she worried constantly about everyone and everything). She would make sure that her daughter, nieces, and nephews were safe whether it was in taking precautions they wouldn’t choke on food or drown while playing at lake Maloney (if you know, you know). She was notorious for having detailed ‘post-it’ notes around to help her and everyone around her stay organized. In her later years, she developed a sweet tooth and loved chocolate candy bars, shakes, and cookies. She was lovingly called “Cookie Monster’ by many of her caregivers towards the end of her life. Even as she lost her language she could still convey her animated messages and would giggle at strongly worded words and phrases. Her face would light up to music from her youth and she would love to sing along to her favorites.
Barb joins her husband Jim and her mother, Martha, in her eternal home. Survivors include her father, Reiny Burbach; daughter, Heidi Winters, son in law, Stacy Winters and grandson Matthew (the apple of her eye); her siblings Bill (Sue) Burbach, Rosemary (Ron) Jones, Randy (Denise) Burbach, Kevin (Denise) Burbach, and Karlene (Dave) Hoedel and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Thursday February 10th at Adams and Swanson Funeral home from 2-5:30 pm with the family in attendance. A rosary will be held at 5:30pm on Thursday, February 10 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Church in North Platte at 9:30am on Friday, February 11th. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson at 11 am and lunch to follow at the church. The family requests that all attendees take Covid precautions and wear masks while attending the services on Friday. Memorials should be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association –Nebraska chapter and to the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment.