Wanda Schmidt

Wanda R. Schmidt, 96, of Tecumseh, passed away on October 28, 2020. She was born to James and Cora (Snyder) Jacka on September 30, 1924 at Tecumseh, Nebraska. She was baptized at an early age. Wanda grew up on a farm east of Tecumseh in the Spring Creek area and attended the District 19 country school through sixth grade. She graduated from Tecumseh High School in 1942, then went on to attend Peru State College.

Wanda was united in marriage to Delmar Schmidt in Tecumseh on July 7, 1944. This union lasted 71 years until Delmar’s passing. During World War II she worked for the War Department in Texas and later was transferred to New York, following the path of her husband’s assignments in the armed forces. Later, Wanda and Delmar returned to Tecumseh where they resided for the rest of their lives. Wanda’s employment included the Johnson County ASCS offce of the U.S. Department of Agriculture where she assisted many landowners with government farm programs. Later, she worked for the local grain elevator and the Family Health Service. She was also an equal partner in operating the family farm. Wanda was very proud of her deep roots in the area, as evidenced by her family’s Ak-Sar-Ben awards for long-standing ownership of farmland and her place as one of the hardy souls who grew up during the era of the Great Depression.

Wanda loved traveling and visited all 50 states. Traveling the Alaska Highway to number 49 was a highlight. She and Delmar enjoyed spending several winters in Yuma, Arizona where they met and cultivated another set of friends. Wanda was a longtime active member of Zion Lutheran Church, Johnson, Nebraska where she served in various capacities. The church had a special place in her heart and she drew much joy and strength from it. Wanda belonged to many clubs during her life and especially enjoyed her years of service to the county election board. She was an ardent supporter of animal humane societies. Wanda had great affection for animals of all shapes and sizes. She loved to be outdoors and could be seen tending to the plantings at her home well into her 90s. Wanda very much enjoyed the challenge of crossword puzzles, proclaiming on many occasions that the difficult ones kept her sharp.

Wanda is survived by her son, James Schmidt and wife Debra of Lincoln, grandsons, Michael Schmidt and wife Renee, Wyatt Schmidt and wife Jacquie and Owen Schmidt, great-grandchildren, Makenzie, Caitlyn, and Elliot Schmidt and Lachlan and Ainsley Schmidt. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother, Willard and sister, Eleanor.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, November 5, 2020 at the Zion Lutheran Church, rural Johnson, Nebraska with Rev. John Kisling offciating. Due to Covid 19, attendees at the church will be asked to stay in their vehicles and the service will be radio broadcast on FM 88.7. Susie Hogrefe, organist, will accompany Bruce and Kathy Sohnholz as they sing “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.” Special music will include “Angels Among Us” by Alabama. Honorary pallbearers are Michael Schmidt, Wyatt Schmidt, Owen Schmidt, Gerry Sherman, Tom Sherman, Gary Wilhelm, Rick Dolph, David Jacka, Marcia Byrt, Lenore Dolph and Elyse Foster. Register book signing will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at the Wherry Mortuary in Tecumseh, Nebraska. Memorials may go to the Zion Lutheran Church, Johnson, Nebraska. Inurnment will be in the Tecumseh Cemetery, Tecumseh, Nebraska. Services are entrusted to Wherry Mortuary, Tecumseh, Nebraska.