Barbara Diane Ziesmann

Barbara Diane Ziesmann, 58, of Amarillo, Texas passed away at BSA Hospital, ICU, room 14 at around 3:45 P.M. on Wednesday, January 10th, 2024, after a two-week battle with multiple infections and pneumonia, and a lifetime battle with Hemochromatosis, Factor V Leiden, Arthritis, Insulin Intolerance, TIA’s, PFO, and Peripheral Neuropathy. The nurses and doctors were wonderful, doing everything they could to navigate around her pre-existing conditions, but in the end, it was her time and she was ready. She passed away surrounded by those who loved her, and she made sure to smile at each of us before her passing. I held her hand the entire time. She was the wife of 10 years to an amazing man who I’m proud to call my Stepdad, the mother of two children, a Mother-in-law, the daughter of an out-law Father and an artist Mother, and the sister of their Son. She was 58 years old.

This woman had bets placed on her in high school, where she would take on various members of the football team in fights and win. She street-raced for pink slips, winning, but never (that I know of) accepting the loser’s car because “why would I want a losing car?”. She played the violin beautifully in high school until her arthritis surfaced, forcing her to stop at a young age, and she worked multiple jobs while going through night school, where she would occasionally make fun of shoplifters for their poor technique.

She joined the army with ambitions of becoming the first female five-star general, where before being discharged from basic due to her health, she raised hell and shamed a cheating Sergeant. She was an exotic dancer, a bartender, a bouncer, she trained for the police force, she owned her own restaurant, she worked with fire rescue to re-home animals, she worked in Alzheimer’s care for around 13 years, which she wrote a small book about, and she touched the hearts of many through her kindness, generosity, and compassion.

I love you mom. You were the goofiest, sweetest, coolest, most amazing woman I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Wherever you are, whatever plane of existence you’ve transcended to, I know you’re the star. I love you so much mom. Deeply, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for being you.

She is survived by her husband, Mark Schmidt; son, Timmothy Ziesmann; daughter, Joella Ziesmann; and brother, Travis Ware and wife Nicole.

Private family services will be held.