Barbara Mae (Weick) Himmelberg passed away peacefully on Oct. 1, 2022, in Seward at the age of 89.
Barbara was born May 31, 1933, in Edgar. She was raised in Edgar, Johnson, Beatrice and Lincoln. Barbara graduated from Lincoln High School, where she enjoyed playing in the marching band. She attended Hastings College and was a member of Kappa Rho Upsilon Sorority.
She was active in civic affairs as a member of the Friend Planning Commission, Friend and Dorchester Chambers of Commerce, co-founder of Friend Businesswomen, Warren Hospital Auxiliary, co-chair of Warren Memorial Hospital Gift Shop and Friend Country Club Board. Barbara was involved in youth development: 4-H, chairwoman of the Friend High School Holiday Ball and Cub Scouts. She was a member of the St. Joseph Altar Society.
Orville and Barbara were married Feb. 1, 1958, in Lincoln and were married for 64 years. Orville was attending the University of Nebraska and Barbara was working at H.W. Hardy Furniture Company in Lincoln at the time they were married. In 1964 Orville and Barbara acquired the Friend IGA grocery store and they moved to Friend. They have resided in Friend for 58 years.
Barbara enjoyed playing bridge, golf and bowling and was an excellent cook.
Barbara was also a dedicated mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who loved spending time with her family and friends whenever possible. She enjoyed lively conversations and debates and always won.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Orville; son, Brian (Vickie) Himmelberg; daughter, Rebecca (Michael) Delaney; grandchildren, Cameron (fiancé Gina Krohn-Bezie) Himmelberg, Lindsey Himmelberg, Elizabeth (Andy) Silvis, Emily and Christina Miller, Brita (Rick) Brownstein, Keegan (Valerie) Delaney and Sean (Trischa) Delaney; 10 great-grandchildren, 51 nieces and nephews, and countless great-nieces and nephews.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Marguerite Wieck; sisters, Berdina (Wayne) Strayer and LeNie (LeRoy) Wilson; brother, Robert (Marge) Weick; parents-in-law, John and Josephine Himmelberg; brothers and sisters-in-law, Don Himmelberg, Max and Coletta (Himmelberg) Robinson and Don and Doris (Himmelberg) Rech; nieces, Karen Huber, Lynn Conley, Diane and Amy Himmelberg; and nephew, Eugene Himmelberg.
A rosary service will be at 10 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Friend. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association or Nebraska Alzheimer’s Association. Condolences may be sent to the family at lauberfh.com.
