Bernadette “Betty” Schmidt, 94, of Hays, Kansas died in her home on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
The daughter of Leonard and Mathilda (Depperschmidt) Schmidt, she was born on April 12, 1930 on the family farm west of Liebenthal, Kansas. Betty graduated from Schoenchen High School in 1948 and on November 5, 1951, she married Aloysius “Winnie” Schmidt at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in LaCrosse, Kansas. They were married 66 years before he proceeded her in death on January 20, 2017.
She was a member of St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church and the Church Ladies Guild as well as the Daughters of Isabella. She was a past president of the American Legion Auxiliary and a member of the VFW Auxiliary. She worked at Travenol for 14 years and provided meal preparations for funeral dinners at St. Nicholas Church. While often helping take care of sick family members, she delivered Meals on Wheels for several years.
Betty kept busy with her many hobbies: sewing, cooking, gardening, and tending to her large collection of flowers. Her latest hobby, embroidery, provided many relatives with complete sets of tea towels. Spending time with her family was her favorite pastime and her cooking skills always ensured no one would go hungry.
She was preceded in death by her husband Winnie, her parents, and an infant brother Elmer. Survivors include: Daughters Cindy Schmidt (partner Fulton Calvery) of Park City and Ruth Legleiter (partner Erik Eaton) of Hays, and a son Dale Schmidt of Hays. Calling her ‘Grandma’ were three grandchildren: Ben Jacobs (Julie Ann) of Ellinwood, Breana O’Gara (Chad) of Gardner, and Brent Legleiter (partner Holly Newell) of Hays. She had seven great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson. Other family survivors include a sister Dorothy McDermeit of Salina and a brother John Schmidt (Judy) of Pueblo, CO.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, May 13, 2024 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church with Father Damian Richards officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Sunday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until service time on Monday at the church. A combined Daughters of Isabella and VFW Auxiliary rosary will be at 6:00 pm followed by a vigil service at 6:30, both on Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested to First Call for Help, St. Joseph Church Food Pantry or to Hays Med Hospice. Condolences and memories of Betty may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com