Dale Laverne Schmidt, 96, residing at Samaritan Springs in Beatrice, went to his heavenly home surrounded by his family on Sept. 27, 2026.
Dale was born Aug. 20, 1930, in his family home near Harbine, to Henry and Clara Schmidt and was the oldest of four boys. Later, his family moved to a farm near Plymouth before moving to a farm near DeWitt. Dale was baptized Sept. 21, 1930, at Zion Lutheran Church in Harbine and confirmed May 9, 1943, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Dewitt.
He graduated from DeWitt High School in 1947. It was there he met his future wife, Margaret Winkle. Dale and Margaret were married Oct. 19, 1952, in Clatonia. He and Margaret made their home on a farm south of Crete in 1953, where they lived for 65 years until moving to Lincoln in 2018. Dale served in the Nebraska National Guard from 1951 to 1955. While on the farm, he and Margaret were blessed with three children; Steve, Kevin and Shari.
Dale and Margaret were active members of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Crete, where Dale held various offices. Dale loved gospel and country music and the fellowship of others at Bethlehem Lutheran.
Dale was a great provider for his family and a dedicated farmer who raised both crops and livestock and sold seed corn. Farming consumed most of his time, but when time was available, he enjoyed musical performances, telling or hearing a funny story, old cars and farm machinery, a large bowl of popcorn, dirt track races, demolition derbies and tractor pulls.
Dale is survived by his children, Steve (Phyllis) Schmidt of Beatrice, Kevin (Linda) Schmidt of Bonita Springs, Florida, and Shari (Jess) Knoth of Olathe, Kansas; grandchildren, Amy (Dan) Hennings of Omaha, Kyle (Courtney) Knoth of Mission, Kansas, Jessica (Mickey) Vest of Skidmore, Missouri, Matt Schmidt of Beatrice, Kristen (Michael) Loney of Overland Park, Kansas, and Luke (Erin) Schmidt of Cashion, Oklahoma; and great-grandchildren, Cooper and Emma Schmidt, Annabelle, Abigail and Adeline Vest, Caleb, Noah, and Stephen Loney, and Barrett and Charley Schmidt.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Margaret; his parents; brother, Richard Schmidt; and grandson, Justin Dale Schmidt.
The funeral service will be at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Crete on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 11 a.m. with lunch following the service. A private family burial will occur at Oak Grove Cemetery in Dewitt. Memorial contributions are suggested to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Crete.
Arrangements by Kuncl Funeral Home in Crete.
