Barbara Bertschinger

Born on July 7, 1935, Barbara Bertschinger was a middle child—one of 10 children born to Margaret (Schneider) Schramm and Arthur B. Schramm.  

Barbara’s early years were spent on the family farm near Utica, S.D., not far from Yankton. Family, faith and education were prioritized by her parents.   Her mother, Margaret, had been a school teacher prior to her marriage, while her father, Art, was a highly respected successful farmer and businessman.

Barbara and her siblings attended the local country school for their early years, then went to high school in Yankton, S.D. The girls in the family boarded during the week at Mount Marty Benedictine Convent which had an academy for high school girls as well as a nursing school. Summers, weekends and holidays were, of course, spent living and working at the family farm.

While her brothers mostly were farmers, with one brother a commercial contractor, the girls in the family mostly ended up as either nurses or teachers.  Some of the women in the family (an aunt and two sisters) entered the convent at Mount Marty in addition to pursuing other careers.  

Barbara went to the nursing school there, supplementing her expense needs with work while continuing to board and study at Mount Marty. While there  she was introduced to her roommate’s brother, who was in the Navy. They wrote back and forth awhile, then, after Barbara graduated with her RN degree and a brief formal courtship, that sailor would become her husband. 

Alton L. Bertschinger and Barbara F. Schramm were married on June 23, 1956, at the Sigel Parish Catholic Church (St. Agnes) near Utica and Lesterville, S.D. They moved to California to start their new life together.  

When Alton received orders to go to sea for an extended period, Barbara returned to the family farm and worked as a nurse in Yankton. As with most Navy marriages, the wife carries most of the responsibility for the “stateside” family. Predictably, their first child, daughter Terese Lynn, was born while her father was overseas. Terri arrived on Barb and Alton’s first anniversary, June 23, 1957.  

When Alton returned, the family was reunited and went to live in California, where Barbara continued her nursing career.

Their son, Robert Joseph, was born in Chula Vista Oct. 12, 1959. (Alton happened to be in port for this one!) Eventually, other duty stations took them to Great Lakes Naval Station near Chicago, Ill., and then on to submarine duty in wonderful Key West, Fla.  

Alton was, as were most sailors, gone much of the time, and often shipped out on short notice. Through it all, Barbara raised two children far from other family, most of the time worked full-time and handled all the finances. On a sailor’s pay and the nursing jobs that at the time paid poorly, she was able to save and invest for their future and paid to keep both children in Catholic schools wherever they were possible to attend. 

Barbara and Alton established lifelong friendships with those in their Navy and local communities, especially those connected to the submarine service.  The Navy wives formed a sisterhood that transcended blood and birth. Their husbands became brothers. These friendships have continued throughout their lives, and Barbara’s loss will be mourned by those who remain.

When Alton retired from the Navy hey moved from his last duty station as Navy Recruiter in Grand Island, Neb., to the home they had earlier purchased in Hill City, S.D. Alton and Barbara continued to be very involved in their Church lives, participating not only in Hill City but also in Custer and Keystone, S.D. Alton’s civilian work for a long time continued to take him out of town. Barbara took it all in stride, working as a nurse full-time, with many years as a county health nurse.  

Amazingly, she and her good friend, Norma Henderson, also managed to keep a good sized 4-H club—“Smokey’s Rangers”—occupied, busy, and productive. They kept the kids involved in community service as well the social, educational and competitive sides of all this. 

Barbara always managed to carve time out to make sure her children were well loved, teaching the life skills and responsibilities they needed to know, and not only encouraged, but modeled involvement in both civic and faith communities.  

She also continued her education. She went on to acquire not only her bachelor’s degree to supplement the earlier RN degree, but also acquired both her Nurse Practitioner and Physicians’ Assistant degree certifications.    Even after “officially” retiring, Barbara volunteered with the poor and indigent, with Maternal Child Health Community Health Services and was available to all who needed her.

An auto accident in 2019 left her largely homebound, but she continued her service with prayer, advice and love. She led by example.

Barbara and Alton celebrated 68 years of marriage just a couple weeks before her passing.

She went away to her Eternal home July 3, 2024—just a few days before her 88th birthday—from the St. Martin Village Good Samaritan Society Nursing Home in Rapid City, S.D.

In between her birth and death was a phenomenal life well lived.

She is survived by her husband, Alton; a few of her siblings; two children; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. In addition, she will be joining her fourth great-grandchild in Heaven. She loves babies It should be a joyous reunion. 

We Love you.

—Your children, Bob and Terri

Blessed Repose and Eternal Memories.

A vigil service was held July 9 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Keystone. A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m.  Wednesday, July 10 at the church. A meal and time of fellowship will immediately follow. Interment will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, S.D.

Please visit the online memorial for Barbara at OsheimSchmidt.com.