Ruth Schmidt

Ruth Schmidt was born on July 29, 1920, in Metropolis, Illinois, and went to live with her Lord and Savior on August 14, 2022, in Omaha, Nebraska, after celebrating her 102nd birthday.



She was the daughter of Walter and Lillie Hilgeman. She married her childhood sweetheart, Pastor Walter K. Schmidt, on June 4, 1944. She helped him in his duties as he served in Lutheran churches in Pocahontas, Missouri; Craig, Iowa; Parkersburg, Iowa; Elkhorn, Nebraska; and Newman Grove, Nebraska.



At these churches, Ruth taught Sunday School, Bible School, Confirmation Classes, and adult Bible studies. She also led the children’s choir and various prayer and faith groups. She studied 15 years with the Bible Study Fellowship. She dedicated her life to supporting her husband, raising her family of four children and her faith.



Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Pastor Walter K. Schmidt; two sons, David and Dennis Schmidt; daughter-in-law, Joni Schmidt; and two sisters, Melva Krueger and Ruby Arensman. She is survived by two sisters, Martha Henry and Mary Kennedy; daughters, Linda (Walt) Duda and Diane (Rodney) Christenson; daughter-in-law, Sue Hoaglund; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.