Barbara Eileen Mitschke

Barbara Eileen (Adamcik) Mitschke peacefully passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on September 16, 2024, in Austin, after a brief and courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. Barbara came into this world on January 28, 1950, joining her sister June and parents Marie and Ben. Barbara had a great childhood in Smithville, TX despite the sudden passing of her father when she was 14. One year later, she met and began dating her future husband and best friend, Harvey Mitschke. When she was 16, the home she shared with her mom and sister was tragically burned in the middle of the night. Harvey and his family supported them along with others in the community by helping rebuild her home, this time with bricks.

Barbara and Harvey became engaged the day before her 18th birthday and a few months before she graduated from Smithville HS. They were married at the end of her freshman year at Blinn College and a few months before he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. They began their life together in Stafford, TX later known as the Meadows. A few years later they welcomed their son Stephen followed by their daughter Kimberly. In 1986 they moved to Austin and into the house they built and still reside.

Barbara was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved spending time with her family and supporting her children and grandchildren in all their adventures. She and Harvey were truly devoted to each other, and reluctant to leave each other, this companionship allowed her to travel with him on his business trips. Barbara loved her garden and being surrounded by flowers; she loved all things hot pink and was an avid Texas Longhorn fan. She enjoyed making things that added to the beauty around her and her home. She was also a fighter who had already conquered a different breast cancer before.

Barbara is survived by her husband of 55 years, Harvey Eugene Mitschke, and her two children Stephen Benjamin (Amy) Mitschke and Kimberly Marie (Eric) Baggerman. She also leaves behind her five grandchildren, Daniel and Phillip Baggerman, Kevin, Lauren, and Claire Mitschke. As well as her sister June (Dennis) Parker and brother-in-law Bert Stuenkel. She will be missed by her niece and nephews and their children. She is predeceased by her parents Marie (Zuhn) and Ben Adamcik, sister-in-law Louise Stuenkel and her grandson Adam Lee Baggerman.

On September 26 friends and family are welcome to attend her visitation at 11am, followed by her funeral at noon and a reception at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1500 W Anderson Ln in Austin. On September 27th at 2pm Barbara will be laid to rest at the Oak Hill Cemetery, 473 State Hwy 95 in Smithville, TX. A family celebration of her life will be held afterwards at her sister June Parker’s home on Hel Kat Rd in Smithville.