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.
