Dennis Schmidt

A private family funeral was held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 15, 2020, at Lauber Funeral Home, Friend, with Rev. Paixao Baptista officiating.  Interment was in Andrew Cemetery.  A public visitation was Thursday 10:00-5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers were:  Jarod and Joe Vossler, Josh Moline, Eric Schmidt, Seth Knoke and Trent Petersen.  Musical selections play at the service were:  “Amazing Grace”, “Bridge Over Troubled Water”, “Rose of My Heart” and “Peace In the Valley”.  Memorials have been established to the family for later designation.

Dennis Schmidt was born on February 17, 1937, in Galva, Kansas to Jesse and Hulda (Decker) Schmidt, the youngest of seven children, and passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at his home in Friend, Nebraska at the age of 83.

As a young boy, Dennis attended public school in Kansas and was enlisted into the US Army where he served his country, being honorably discharged on February 28, 1965.  Dennis was united in marriage to Elizabeth Coates in Galva and to this union six children were born:  Annette, Cara, Christopher, Audra, Michele and Shana.  Together they lived on a farm north of Mound Ridge, KS where he farmed and raised hogs and chickens.   Dennis also was later employed at the Mound Ridge Mill for several years.  His family moved to Nebraska in 1968, where he worked at the Crete Mills, retiring after 31 years.  After his retirement, he enjoyed working in his workshop doing various woodworking projects.  Dennis was an avid reader and loved reading about history and World War II.  One of his highlights in life was when he had the opportunity to visit the ship, Queen Mary, that was docked in Long Beach, CA.  He cherished the times spent with his grandchildren, and enjoyed playing basketball and watching Elvis Presley movies.   He had a passion for antique Ford cars, classic R&B music and had a sweet tooth for ice cream.

      Survivors include his children and spouses, Annette Vossler, Friend, NE, Cara and James Matthews, Tuscumbia, AL, Audra Schmidt, Fairmont, NE, Michele Hellander, Cheyenne, WY, Shana and Michael Malone, Phoenix, AZ, 11 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. 

      He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Christopher, in 1966, brothers, Kermit, Vern and Paul Schmidt, sisters, Marguerite and Luella Koehn, Betty Anderson and a son-in-law, Rex Vossler. 

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