Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home

Virgil Schmidt, age 78, of Menominee, passed away unexpectedly Monday, August 15, 2011. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Menominee, NE with Rev. David Fulton and Deacon Marcus Potts officiating. Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Crematory, Yankton, with a wake service at 7:00 PM. Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the St. Boniface Cemetery, Menominee, NE. Pallbearers are Bruce Pick, Terry Rasmussen, Tim Foxhoven, Mike Rasmussen, Danny Lammers, Willard Schmidt, Ronny Zimmerman, Troy Schmitt. Honorary Pallbearers are Cordy Rasmussen, Allen Bonertz, Donald Zimmerman, Quinten Tramp Sr., Richard Hoebelheinrich, Gerald Zavadil, Darrell Loecker and Franny Mueller.

Virgil was born on May 20, 1933 to Theodore and Mary (Meyer) Schmidt in Yankton, SD. Virgil was raised on the farm near Menominee which was established by his grandparents. He attended grade school in Menominee and High School in Yankton. Virgil and Donna were married on December 27, 1960 and continued to farm on the property where he grew up.

Virgil was involved in the community, belonging to the Foresters, Knights of Columbus, and serving on the Saint Boniface parish council. He truly cared for people, and would always help anyone in need.

He loved the country, farming the land and the majesty of God's creation. This appreciation was evident in his favorite hobby: hunting both in the mountains, and in Nebraska pasture lands. He enjoyed raising and working with horses, and spent much of his time supporting his children and grandchildren competing in 4-H Rodeo.

Virgil loved old westerns, cookies, ice cream and most of all he loved his family, his wife, children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Schmidt of Menominee, NE; son, Randy (Sherry) of St Helena; daughter, Tammy of Denver, CO; grandson, Matthew of Yankton, SD; grandchildren, Lakyn, Taylor and Cole of St. Helena, NE, great grandchildren, Abigail and Connor of Yankton, SD; sisters, Laguardis Bonertz of York, NE, Anna Mae Zimmerman of Tabor, SD and Imogene Tramp of Crofton, NE.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Brenda; mother, Mary Schmidt; father, Theodore Schmidt; grandparents, Joseph & Anna Schmidt, Nicky & Gertrude Meyer; brother, Stanley and sister, Darlene.