Barbara Kay Schmalz
Barbara Kay Schmalz, (67), passed away on July 26, 2021, in Ballantine, Montana, from a long battle with cancer. Barbara was born to John and Mary Holwegner in Lovell, Wyoming. She grew up in Edgar, Montana, Big Horn, Wyoming, and Fromberg, Montana, in farming communities. She was married on March 24th, 1973, to David Wayne Schmalz in Fromberg, Montana, at the Catholic Church. She had five children: Jeffery Schmalz of Red Lodge, Montana; Tamara Schmalz-Greeling of Billings, Montana; Brian Schmalz of Laramie, Wyoming; Kevin (Allie) Schmalz of Billings, Montana; and Sheila Schmalz of Ballantine, Montana.
Barbara Schmalz was a stay-at-home mother for many years, and also did cake decorating, crafting, coaching baseball, Girl Scout leader, raising money for the March of Dimes, and many other activities including having an in-home daycare at one time. After her children were older, she became a real estate agent and worked at Fiscus Realty and then became a broker/owner of American Real Estate.
After retiring, she and her husband bought a farm in Ballantine where they enjoyed farming grass alfalfa hay and raising cattle. She also loved her children and grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them throughout the years. Barbara was always kind and generous, and she was always helping, and lending a hand to her family, friends, and anyone in need.
She is preceded in death by her husband, David Schmalz, her brother, James Holwegner, and her father, John Holwegner. She is also preceded in death by her father-in-law, Christian Schmalz and her mother-in-law, Irene Schmalz. She is survived by her mother Mary E. Holwegner of Billings, Montana, brothers and sisters, John Holwegner of Sheridan, Wyoming, David (Lonnie) Holwegner of Casper, Wyoming, Dan (Lenna) Holwegner of Sheridan, Wyoming, RoseMary (Don) Biddle of Florida, Paula Holwegner of Billings, Montana, Linda (John) Larson of Powers, Oregon, and Teresa (Randy) Lyytinen of Park City, Montana. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law Don (Becky) Schmalz of Cody, Wyoming, Joe (Kate) Schmalz of Shepherd, Montana, Jim Schmalz of Shelley, Idaho, Doug (Brenda) Schmalz of Minnetrista, Minnesota, and Chris (Linda) Schmalz of Fort Worth, Texas, Alene (Kent) Schmalz of Minot, North Dakota, Annette Grohs of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, and Carol (Al) Rebsom of Shepherd, Montana. Barbara had the following grandchildren: Andrew Schmalz of Billings, Montana, Christopher Nava of Ballantine, Montana, Ryan Nava of Billings, Montana, David Nava of Billings, Montana, Mariah Schmalz, of Ballantine, Montana, Aliyah Saylor of Ballantine, Montana, Olivia Schmalz of Billings, Montana, Keaton Schmalz of Billings, Montana, Kaylee Ehrlick of Billings, Montana, Kylee Schmalz of Laramie, Wyoming, and Beau Schmalz of Laramie, Wyoming. Barbara also had numerous aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Tuesday, August 3, 1-7pm at Smith Downtown Chapel. Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, August 4 at 11am at St. Bernard Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Pleasantview Cemetery. Reception will be at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Ballantine. Condolences may be shared at smithfuneralchapels.com.
