SCHMIDT, Ilert

Ilert Schmidt, 87 years of age from Minden, Nebraska died on Monday, August 29, 2011 at the Bethany Home in Minden. He was born on June 6, 1924 in Hildreth, NE to Brunke and Marie (Braams) Schmidt. He grew up in the Hildreth area and attended Hildreth High School. He then farmed in the Hildreth area. On November 16, 1948 he married Janevieve Bach at the Zion Lutheran parsonage west of Macon. The day after his marriage to Janevieve, he reported for duty in the U.S. Army. He served during the Korean War and was discharged in 1953. Ilert worked as a mechanic in Franklin, then they moved to Minden and he worked for John Deere. He later worked for Delux Manufacturing in Kearney for 23 years. After Ilert's retirement he began working at the Pioneer Village making brooms. He was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Minden and American Legion Post #94 in Minden. Ilert enjoyed making wooden tulips for his friends and family. He also collected pocket watches. Survivors include his wife, Janevieve of Minden; son Delvin Schmidt and his wife, Julie of Minden; daughter, Jana Klusman of Blue Hill; five grandchildren, Brandon Schmidt and his wife, Tiffany, Brian Schmidt and his wife, Ashley, Megan Schmidt, Ryan Klusman and Ashley Klusman; two great grandchildren, Alex and Candace; two sisters, Lilly Dyer of Hastings and Viola Ebke of Kearney; and two brothers, LaVerne Schmidt of Lincoln and Leo Schmidt of Kearney. He is preceded in death by two sons, Lonnie and Laroy and brother, Virgil. Funeral services will be on Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the Bethany Lutheran Church in Minden with Rev. Donald Hunzeker officiating. The Minden American Legion, Heartwell VFW and the U.S. Army National Guard will provide military rites. Graveside services will be at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery west of Macon at 12:30 p.m. Visitation will be at the Layton-Craig Funeral Home in Minden on Wednesday from 4-7 p.m.