Barbara Ann Schmicking

Barbara Ann Schmicking, age 88, of Belle Plaine, formerly of Fairmont, passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Kingsway Senior Living in Belle Plaine. A graveside service for Barb will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Lakeside Cemetery in Fairmont at 1 p.m. with Pastor Jeff Adams, officiating.

Barb was born on May 22, 1938, in Fairmont to William and Helen (Whetstone) Edwards. She grew up in Fairmont and attended Fairmont High School. Shortly after high school, she married Donald Schmicking on February 20, 1959, in Fairmont. She worked at a canning company before staying at home to raise her three children. When her sons were old enough, she returned to work doing research for an abstract company. Barb loved her work and enjoyed being able to learn more about the history of her town. She moved to Belle Plaine in 2014 after her husband Don passed.

In her free time, Barb loved to read, put together puzzles and diamond dot paintings, and go camping with Don in their camper.

Barb is survived by her two sons, Alan (Judy) Schmicking of Belle Plaine, and Jeff (Randi) Schmicking of Backus; grandchildren, Ryan Schmicking, and Katie and Kelly Schmicking; sister-in-law, Delores Schmicking; and nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Don Schmicking in 2013; son, James Schmicking; siblings, Donald Edwards, Rodney Edwards, Audrey Milbrant, and Shirley Armstrong; and sister-in-law, Violet Brewster.