Barbara Lynne (Johnson) Hinzman
September 24, 1951 – July 18, 2019
Barbara Hinzman, 67, Brandon, died Thursday, July 18, 2019, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.
Visitation will be 5-7pm, Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at Heartland Funeral Home in Brandon. Funeral Services will be at 7pm. Inurnment will take place on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at 9am, at the Brandon Lutheran Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the LAM Foundation at www.thelamfoundation.org.
Barbara Lynne Johnson was born September 24, 1951 to Ernest “Bud” Johnson and Darlene (Martin) Johnson-LeBeau in Rapid City, SD. She grew up at their home north of Eagle Butte, SD and attended school in Eagle Butte. After marrying Jerry Allen Hinzman on June 7, 1969, they moved to Grand Forks, ND and then to Devil’s Lake, ND where they had their son Richard “Rick” Hinzman. After moving back to Eagle Butte and then Gettysburg, SD, they settled in Mitchell, SD where they lived for over 13 years. There they welcomed their beautiful daughter Michelle “Shelly” Lynne Hinzman. In 1993, they moved to Brandon, SD until Barb’s passing.
Being the eldest child, Barb was known for having a motherly role with her siblings. Barb was one of six children including her brothers, Randy and Richard, and sisters, Betty, Diane, and Janelle. She held many jobs including work at the Tastee Freeze and Little Dakota. She built strong relationships with friends such as Susie Payne and Darlene (Keller) Wolfe. She met the love of her life, Jerry following his return from service in the Army. Her siblings remember Barb and Jerry cruising around Eagle Butte in his car while dating. She married Jerry when she was 17 years old. They were inseparable until Jerry’s passing in 2016. As they followed Jerry’s employment with Iseman Homes and Old Home Bakery, she worked at the courthouse and a medical clinic. She was known for her decorating abilities and enjoyed doing so with her friend Susie. They would even swap furniture with each other and then give it to her mom, Darlene, when they didn’t want it anymore. In Mitchell, Barb and Jerry became good friends with their neighbors Tom and Cindy Riddle. This friendship lasted even after the move to Brandon.
Her health concerns began in 1979, when she was only 27 years old. Initially being diagnosed with cancer, she received a nephrectomy followed by radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Her family and friends took turns driving her to and from appointments in Aberdeen. After finally receiving her diagnosis of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), she received two lung transplants in 1989 and 1995. When her remaining kidney shut down, Barb received dialysis while postponing her kidney transplant, allowing her son Rick, to witness his daughter’s birth prior to donating a kidney to his mother.
Through all of her life struggles, Barb took great pride in her children and grandchildren. They remained her utmost priority. Barb’s family and friends would watch Rick and Shelly when she went to work or had medical appointments. Rick kept Barb on the tip of her toes as he was a wild and crazy teenager. She would stay up at night until he came back home. Shelly remembers when Barb would lay down with her when she was little and get her ready for all of her dance recitals. Barb took care of Shelly when she was sick… even just a few months ago. Barb was beyond ecstatic when she learned that she was going to be a grandma. She cared for her granddaughters, Catherine and Isabella, and she showered them with love and attention while Rick and Tara were at work. Her granddaughters have so many memories of her. Bella remembers the coolest Disney Princess CD player that Barb gave her. They would listen to songs together. Katie and Bella flooded Grandma’s house with handmade works of art after their parents were subtly told to not stifle their creativity. Katie remembers the many orchestra concerts that Grandma attended. And of course, one can’t forget the many, many footrubs she received from Katie, Bella, Shelly, and Tara because it made her feel better if only for a few minutes.
Barbara is survived by her son Rick (Tara) Hinzman and daughter Shelly Hinzman, both of Brandon; two granddaughters, Catherine and Isabella; siblings Randy (Alyce) Johnson, Wellington, TX, Betty (Kreg) Warrick, Rapid City, SD, Richard (Jackie) Johnson, Wellington, TX, Diane (Tom) Gesinger, Ridgeview, SD, Janelle (Kurt) Kolb, Leola, SD; stepfather, Freddie LeBeau, Eagle Butte, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Hinzman; mother, Darlene Martin-Johnson-LeBeau; father, Ernest Johnson; and great-nephew, Wyatt Gesinger.
Early in Barbara’s health struggles she received financial support but more importantly, she wanted to spread the word of becoming an organ donor. Please consider registering to become an organ donor and share your wishes with your family members.
R.I.P. cuz never will forget get the fun we had growing up. Or the families getting together.
What a great tribute to Barb. It says it all. The Motherly role carried over to some of the Kost and Martin kids also. Barb was such a great human being. She always had my respect and I admired her outlook on life. She is with the Lord where there is no pain or suffering. My sympathy goes out to all of the family.
Rick and Shelly so shocked to hear about Barb tonight. My sympathies to you. She was a good friend and the times she and I would go to a our appointment in Cities were enjoyable and just setting on her deck.. she thought the world of you kids and her granddaughters were were and joy.
She will be missed