Obituary for Barbara L. Schommer

Barb Schommer was born February 16, 1947 in Mitchell, South Dakota to Gordon & Elsamarie Thune. She graduated from Mitchell Senior High School in Mitchell, South Dakota in 1965.

Upon graduation, she attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in nursing in 1969. In her senior year she served as state first vice president of the Nursing Student Association of South Dakota. Barb played clarinet in the Augustana Concert Band.

Upon graduation Barb began her career working for the Visiting Nurse Association in Sioux Falls (1969-1972). She moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota & furthered her education attending The University of Minnesota & achieved her Master of Science degree in Public Health in 1974. In 1986 she was awarded Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Certificate from the College of St. Catherine. Barb continued her career with the Ramsey County Public Health Administration (1974-2007) until her official retirement in 2007, but remained active in nursing until her health problems set in.

Barb was passionate about nursing & loved people, she engaged in many activities. While in Sioux Falls, she took beginner skydiving lessons & eventually became an avid jumper. This is how she met her future husband, Tom Schommer. They were married in Mitchell, South Dakota in 1974. The couple lived in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Tom worked for the City of Minneapolis & was also active with the Air Force Reserve. The couple enjoyed many other activities together including “Bluegrass” band, hot air ballooning & piloting single engine aircraft.

Barb held certifications as an RN, Public Health Nurse (PHN), Certified Healing Touch Provider (CHTP), and Certified Healing Touch Instructor (CHTI). Barb held a Private Pilot’s License, she piloted her Hot Air Balloon & made over 100 jumps as a skydiver.

Barb succumbed to a blood disorder early in 2023 & was later diagnosed with Leukemia. Following considerable medical efforts including stem cell transplant her condition deteriorated & she passed away March 11, 2024 while hospitalized in the MAYO CLINIC SYSTEM in Rochester, Minnesota. Her very close friends Fran Sittig, Swanna Champlin & Janet Hutton-Senjem assisted during her stay in Rochester. Barb was blessed with frequent visits from family & friends both at her home during recovery & at the hospital. It was her very dear desire to spend more time at home to relish time with friends and family in her newly remodeled kitchen. The family planned & installed some additions to her basement as she requested and was planning for more enhancements. Fortunately, most of Barb’s close family members, relatives, & friends were able to visit & hug her in the hospital just prior to her passing.

Barb is survived by her younger brothers, Gary Thune (Avis), James Thune (Jeanne) & David Thune (Corrine); cherished nieces & nephews; great-nieces & nephews; great-great nieces & nephews; her foster daughter, Thuy Lam & Thuy’s two sons. Preceding her in death were her beloved husband, Tom Schommer, who passed in 2022; her parents, Gordon and Elsamarie Thune; & brother, Ronald Thune.

Memorial service 11AM Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, (16515 Luther Way, Eden Prairie) with visitation at 10AM & lunch following. Interment at Fort Snelling 11:30AM Wednesday, June 5, 2024

In lieu of flowers memorial donations are welcome. Bard & Tom were passionate & supportive of several organizations.

Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association(www.minnesotabluegrass.org);

Healing Beyond Borders (https://www.healingbeyondborders.org/);

Gilda’s Club Minnesota (www.gildasclubtwincities.org;

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (www.stjude.org);

Minnesota Sinfonia (www.mnsinfonia.org);

or a charity of your choosing.

Web link for live streaming of the service.

https://www.youtube.com/live/LUaDT_SWYRw