Judge Barbara Nellermoe

1944 - 2025

Judge Barbara Nellermoe
January 12, 1944 - November 14, 2025
A bright light has stopped shining on this Earth. Barbara passed away peacefully on November 14, 2025, at home in Medina, MN after a courageous 14-month journey with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. Barbara was 81. She was preceded in death by her parents and many dear family members.
After finishing her first career as an educator, Barbara graduated from St. Mary's University School of Law and was admitted to the Texas State Bar in 1983. Barbara was also admitted to practice before the US District Court for the Western District of Texas, the 5th Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Barbara served for 12 years as a civil court judge for the 45th District Court in San Antonio, Texas. Barbara continued as a senior visiting judge until fully retiring and moving to Minnesota in 2020. Prior to taking the bench, Barbara worked as the staff attorney to the 4th Court of Appeals in TX, a corporate litigation attorney in private practice, as a law clerk for Judge Fred Shannon, Judge William S. Sessions (who later became FBI Director), Judge Edward C. Prado (who later became Ambassador to Argentenia).
Barbara's career highlights include: Editor-in Chief of the St. Mary's Law Journal (1982-1983), President of the San Antonio Women's Bar Association (1996), Editor-in Chief of San Antonio Lawyer, Texas Bar Foundation Outstanding Law Review Award (1997), Bexar County Women's Bar Foundation Belva Lockwood Award Outstanding Lawyer Award (1998), San Antonio Bar Association President's Award for Outstanding Service to the Bar, Human Rights Campaign Equity Award (2007), Stonewall Democrats Advocacy Award (2008) and Equity Texas Advocate Award (2009) and San Antonio Women's Hall of Fame (2011). She also served as Chair, The College of the State Bar of Texas (2004-2006); Founding Member of Texas Women Lawyers, Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, President of St. John's Lutheran Church, sang in the Texas Bach Choir, served on the Corporation Board at Texas Lutheran University (2015-2019) and a Life Member of the TLU Development Board, and on the board of St. Luke's Lutheran Health Ministries. In retirement, Barbara authored 50 Years of Excellence; A History of the St. Mary's Law Journal.
Barbara received her JD in law at St. Mary's University, San Antonio, TX (1983); an MA in history and sociology at MN State University, Mankato, MN (1976); and BS in education at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN (1965) where she sang in the concert choir.
Barbara is survived by her loving and supportive husband of 60 years, John; her daughter Sara Nellermoe and her husband Steve Clement; grandson John Lawrence, brother Douglas Hanson and many wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, all their children and dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts be made to: The Judge Barbara Hanson Nellermoe Law Scholarship at St. Mary's University School of Law (San Antonio, TX); Concordia College (Moorhead, MN); Oaks Indian Mission (Oaks, OK); Texas Lutheran University, (Seguin, TX); or the charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life will be held in both Minnesota and Texas at later dates.