Leonard Schmitz

Funeral services for Leonard Schmitz were held on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Butte, NE, with Father Bernard Starman officiating.

Emily Wlaschin and Tina Dethlefs presented the gifts, and Matthew Schmitz was lector.

Music was provided by Pat Thiry, organist, Monica and Bob Schmiedt were in charge of registration. Casket bearers were Tony Schmitz, Travis Schmitz, Tina Dethlefs, Emily Wlaschin, Matthew Schmitz, and Joseph Schmitz. Interment was in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Naper, NE. Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Leonard was born on February 27, 1930 to Joseph and Bertha Schmitz on a farm near Bonesteel, SD. Not long after, the family moved to Naper, NE, where Leonard graduated from high school in 1947. He worked on the family farm until January 1952, when he entered the Army, eventually being stationed in Germany.

Upon his discharge in December 1953, Leonard returned to Naper, NE. He married Thelma Higgins on February 22, 1955 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Naper. The couple had two children: Douglas, born December 26, 1955; and David, born June 24, 1958.

Douglas married René Kramer, and they had three children: Emily Wlaschin of O’Neill, NE, mother of Jack, Theodore, Oliver, Anne, and Robert; Matthew Schmitz of New York, NY, husband of Julia and father of Hugh, Roger, Josiah, and Austin; and Joseph Schmitz of Lincoln, NE. David married Carmen Noel, and they have three children: Tony Schmitz of Sioux Falls, SD, husband of Becky and father of Ella, Olivia, Isaac, Aaron, and Isabel; Travis Schmitz of Omaha, NE, husband of Kami and father of Jelissa, Jaycie, Jaydin, Jersi, and Jagger; and Tina Dethlefs of Kearney, NE, wife of Adam.

Leonard and Thelma purchased an abandoned farm east of Naper and made it into a successful family farm. Leonard was involved in community organizations including VFW Post 8256, Lower Niobrara Natural Resources District Board, Naper Lions Club, Boyd County Rural Water District #1, Naper Rural Fire Department, the Knights of Columbus, Naper Catholic Church Council, and the Naper Historical Society.

Leonard Henry Schmitz died on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Butte, NE, at the age of 94 years.

He is survived by Thelma, his wife of 69 years; son Douglas and daughter- in-law René of O’Neill, NE; son David and daughter-in-law Carmen of Naper, NE; six grandchildren; and nineteen great-grandchildren.

Leonard is preceded in death by his parents Joesph and Bertha Schmitz; brothers Donald and John; and sisters Helen and Bennetta.