Barbara Jean Spilker

Barbara Jean Spilker
November 26, 1936 – April 29, 2016


Barbara Jean Spilker, 79, passed away on Friday, April 29, 2016, after a fast but ferocious battle with cancer. Barbara was born on November 26, 1936 in Grand Island, Nebraska. After graduating from Grand Island Senior High in 1954, she attended nursing school at Lincoln General Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, graduating in 1957. While in nursing school, she met her future husband -- a dashing, curly haired farm boy, with blue eyes and a cocky smile. Wayne Spilker graduated from the University of Nebraska and joined the Marine Corps with aspirations of becoming a military pilot. The two were married in September of 1958 and left Nebraska for Pensacola, Florida where Wayne had to report for military training.

The Marine Corps transferred the newlyweds to Quantico, Virginia for flight school, then on to Kansas, Hawaii and California during the early years of their marriage. In 1964, Wayne resigned from active duty and he and Barbara settled in Hurst, Texas where Wayne accepted a position with Bell Helicopter and Barbara began work as an operating room nurse at Glenview Hospital.

Barbara loved nursing and worked full time as a surgery nurse until having children. As a stay at home mom to three children, Barbara was very active in the PTA, little league, and Girl Scouts. She would return to nursing off and on as her children were growing up, working as a clinical nurse for a private practice before finding herself back where she started…working as the Head Operating Room nurse at Twin Oaks Medical Plaza before retiring from nursing in 2004.

An avid bridge player, Barbara was a member of many bridge groups, and continued to play twice weekly until falling ill in February. Her children and grandchildren recall the house full of card tables, tally cards and chocolate covered raisins, which were customarily served when Barbara hosted an afternoon of bridge. In addition to bridge (and playing cards in general), Barbara enjoyed working on puzzles and playing with her grandchildren.

Her Faith in the Lord was strong and steadfast. Barbara was an active member at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Hurst and enjoyed her Bible study groups, especially her monthly “prayer” meetings at Cantina Laredo, where the wait staff would brew a fresh pot of coffee when she walked in the door. Barbara was quick to volunteer at church in whatever capacity was required serving on countless committees and guilds. She even sang in the church choir…once. She enjoyed it all; Alter Guild, Braille Ministry, Vacation Bible School and Sunday School President, Educational Committee, you name it, she was ready to raise her hand to help, always with a smile on her face and God in her heart.

Barbara is preceded in death by Harry Schubert (father), Lewis McQuiston (step father), Helen Walbrecht McQuiston (mother), Gregory Spilker (son), and Wayne Spilker (husband). Survivors include daughters Shari Shaver and Nancy Lallande. Son-in-law, Scott Shaver. Granddaughters, Cassidy Spilker, Madison Lallande and Morgan Lallande. Great grandson, Silas Tavo. Sister, Roberta Brugger and her husband Keith Brugger. Brother Doug Schubert and his wife Carol Schubert. Brother-in-law David Spilker and his wife Connie Spilker, and nine nieces and nephews.