Barbara Elizabeth (Ryan) Sehmann

Barbara Elizabeth Ryan Sehmann

April 13, 1943 – January 27, 2025

“To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:8

On Monday, January 27, 2025, Barbara Elizabeth Ryan Sehmann completed her earthly assignment and traded her cross for a crown.

We are devastated by her passing and will miss her tremendously, but rejoice in the knowledge that she is free from the bondage of cancer, strokes, and dementia.

Barbara was born to Charles John and Hazel Marguerite Ryan on April 13, 1943, in Davenport, Iowa. She graduated from Central High School in Davenport, Iowa. She married Gary Sehmann on May 12, 1962, and to this union were born three children. They moved to Texas in 1966, first to Houston, then settling in La Marque.

Barbara spent the majority of her career at Galveston County Memorial Hospital (currently known as Mainland Center Hospital), first in admitting before being promoted to data processing. She worked the midnight shift the entire time so that she could be home during the day so her children would not have to go to daycare. She also worked for UTMB Galveston for a time.

Barbara gave every bit of herself to ensure that her family was taken care of. She found her wealth not in earthly possessions, but in the love of her family. She was rich, indeed.

Her last years were, unfortunately, spent fighting a body and mind that were failing her. But being the stubborn and resilient human that she was, always overcame those adversities.

Barbara is predeceased by her parents; her brothers, Michael Ryan and David Ryan; niece, Linda Quinlan; grandson, Matthew Jordan Sehmann. What a reunion they must be having in heaven!

Barbara is survived by her children, Lisa Eidelbach (Lane), Eric Sehmann (Mona), and Laurie Tollett; grandchildren, Jennifer (Justin), Rachel (Dylan), Kory, Fischer, Melissa (Aaron), and Tim (Amanda); great-grandchildren, Austin (Micaela), Jacob, Evan, Dylan, Adrian, Camille, Avery, Devin, Ryan, and Sandy; and great-great-grandchild, Niyana; sisters, Elaine Tacquard and Anne Quinlan (Roland); brother, Tom Ryan (Brenda); and nieces and nephews, Paul Tacquard, John Tacquard, Brandi Johnson, Tracy Jasper, and Brian Quinlan, and their families. Pallbearers will be Tom Ryan, Eric Sehmann, Austin Eidelbach, Fischer Tollett, Adrian Oliva, and Devin Nicholson. Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Tacquard and John Tacquard.

Viewing and visitation will be on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Hayes Funeral Home, 10412 Highway 6, Santa Fe, Texas, 77510, officiated by Mrs. Lorrie Fuller. Burial will follow at Galveston Memorial Park Cemetery in Hitchcock, Texas. The family invites everyone to a reception immediately following at Runge Community Center, 4605 Peck Avenue, Santa Fe, Texas, 77517.

Our family would like to extend our gratitude to Bayou Pines Care Center in La Marque for the compassionate love and care that they have shown to our mom for the past four years. We would like to also thank the faculty and staff at the UTMB Emergency Room and Jennie Sealy 11th floor for the exceptional care that they provided during her eight-day stay in December. We would like to also express our appreciation for the love and comfort provided to our mom by Resolutions Hospice for the last ten days of her life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to either the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601 or Resolutions Hospice, 17040 El Camino Real, Suite 200, Houston, Texas 77058 or simply visiting a senior at a local nursing home.

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