Ruth L. Schmidt

Ruth Lydia (Yelken) Schmidt was the youngest child of Dieke and Louise (Folkers) Yelken. She was born December 10, 1932 on and raised on the parent’s farm east of Franklin in the Spring Valley area. She attended grade school at country school District 60 and high school at Franklin Public school.

Ruth was married to George A. Schmidt on August 14, 1949. They had two children Dianne and Steven. She and George lived in Kearney for a year while George attended college, but moved back to Franklin when he was called back to the Marines during the Korean Conflict.

For several years Ruth worked at the Rexall Drug store, both during high school and when George was in the military. In 1961 the family moved to Bloomington and she was employed for several years as the cook for the Bloomington public schools. She was also very active in the Legion Auxiliary for many years.

In 1979 she and George moved to their home north of Franklin. Beginning in 1975 and for the next twenty four years Ruth worked as the head cook at the Franklin Senior Center. Declining health took its toll and in 2018 Ruth moved to Arbor Care Center in Franklin.

Ruth’s greatest joy came from spending time with her family and friends, as well as cooking, baking and gardening. Ruth passed from this life peacefully Wednesday, June 7^th, 2023. She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years George Schmidt; parents Dieke & Louise Yelken; siblings Leonard Yelken, Lorraine (Yelken) Kahrs, Geraldine (Yelken) Monie, and Gerald Yelken.

She will be forever remembered by her daughter Dianne and son-in-law Ray Miller, Grand Island; son Steven and daughter-in-law Connie Schmidt, Franklin; granddaughter Michaela (Schmidt) Wallace and husband David, Lincoln; grandson Kyle Schmidt and wife Erica, Plainview; great grandchildren Sidney and Allison Wallace, Harper, Riggins and Khloe Schmidt; as well as several nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. Ruth will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A Graveside memorial service and inurnment will be held 10:30am Friday, Jul y 7^th, 2023 at Greenwood Cemetery, Franklin, Nebraska with Pastor Rod Heilbrun officiating. Hutchins Funeral Home assisted the Schmidt family with these arrangements.