Roger Dale Schmidt

Roger Dale Schmidt, 59, of Beatrice, died at his home on Tuesday evening, August 5, 2008, after a long courageous battle with cancer. He was born on June 11, 1949, at Beatrice Mennonite Hospital to Paul and Dorothy Schmidt, and lived on a farm near Plymouth. He attended St. Paul’s Parochial School and graduated from Tri County High School in 1967. He attended Fairbury Jr. College before being drafted into the United States Army, where he served from June of 1970 to December of 1971. He married Judy Buller on March 16, 1973, and they had just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. He was employed at Store Kraft Manufacturing for 36 years and also helped his father with farming. He was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Plymouth, where he was baptized and confirmed. He was a member of Schopp-Ewing-Nispel Post 243, American Legion of Plymouth. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, family and watching Husker Football with his friends. He especially loved “The Outdoors,” hunting, fishing, camping and gardening.

Survivors include his wife, Judy of Beatrice; two daughters, Keri Clark of Lincoln and Kelly Pella and husband Dennis of Beatrice; three grandchildren, Brandon Schmidt, Bailey and Devon Pella; two brothers, Richard Schmidt and wife Lois of Plymouth and Ronald Schmidt of Beatrice; one sister, Karen Harrington and husband Larry of Western; one sister-in-law, Linda Rockemann and husband Paul of Beatrice; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Dorothy Ruhnke Schmidt; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Mildred Buller; his uncle, Orville Ruhnke Sr.; and his cousin, Orville Ruhnke Jr.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 11, 2008, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Plymouth, with Pastor Joel Frank and Pastor John Bortulin officiating. Burial will be in the St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery of Plymouth. A family prayer service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday in the fellowship room of the church. A memorial has been established to Aseracare Hospice of Lincoln and St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church with the church elders in charge. The body will lie in state at the Fox Funeral Home, 19th and Garfield, Beatrice, from 12 noon Thursday until 5 p.m. Saturday; at the Fox Funeral Home of Plymouth from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday; and on Monday at the church one hour preceding the services. The family will meet and greet friends at the Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday evening. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the Schopp-Ewing-Nispel Post 243 of the American Legion of Plymouth. A guest book for signatures and messages of condolence is available online at http://www.foxfuneralhome.net . Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice in charge of arrangements.

(Paid)