Bernard "Bernie" P. Schmidt
1926 - 2014
Obituary
Bernard "Bernie" P. Schmidt, 87, died on Sunday,
May 11, 2014.
Bernie was born on Dec. 17, 1926, in Wales, N.D., to Henry
and Elizabeth Schmidt and was the youngest of 10 children. He proudly served in
the U.S. Navy in World War II. After the war, he met and married the love of
his life, Mildred "Mickey" Wright. Bernie and Mickey were married on
Sept. 24, 1949, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Newton. He retired as a
communications manager for the Santa Fe Railroad.
Bernie was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and
friend. He spent many hours mentoring kids as a coach for basketball, baseball
and softball in the Newton area. In addition to being passionate about his
family, Bernie was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was also active in his
community by serving his church, Knights of Columbus, the VFW, American Legion
and Ducks Unlimited, as well as one of his favorite retirement activities,
spending time with his coffee groups. One of his proudest accomplishments was
the fact that each of his children graduated from the University of Kansas.
Bernie is survived by two daughters, Monica Schmidt Thompson
of Dallas, Texas, and Jodi Stowell and her husband, Todd of Park City, Utah;
two sons, Tom and his wife, Debi, and Terry and his wife, Laura, who all reside
in Lawrence. He was the adored grandfather to nine grandchildren, Kris Schmidt
of Shawnee, Collin Schmidt of Minneapolis, Minn., Brad and Evan Schmidt of
Lawrence, Terra Thompson-Cobb of Colorado Springs, Colo., Tyler Thompson of
Denver, Colo., Taylor Thompson of Dallas, Texas, Bailey and Brynnah Stowell of
Park City, Utah; and a sister, Bernice Domres of Langdon, N.D.
He was preceded in death by Mickey, his devoted wife of 58
years; a son, Tracy; his parents; three brothers; and five sisters.
Bernie will be greatly missed by his family and friends. The
family would like to thank all of those who have cared for him over the past
few years. A special thank you to Pat Dorsett, who took such great care of our
dad in the last few months.
Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 16, at
Petersen Funeral Home in Newton. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at the
funeral home at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 16. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at
11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Newton. Interment
to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Newton. Following the burial service, a
wake in Bernie's honor will be held at the VFW in Newton from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary's
Capital Building Fund, Newton, or VFW Post 971, in care of Petersen Funeral
Home.
