Elizabeth "Betty" M. Schmitz

Elizabeth "Betty" M. Schmitz, 89, of Albion, NE passed away Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at Edgewood Vista in Columbus, NE.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 10, 2023, at St Michael's Catholic Church in Albion, NE with Fr. Mark Tomasiewicz and Deacon Paul Weeder officiating. Burial will follow at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, Albion, NE. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Sunday at the church with a 7:00 p.m. wake service.

Memorials are suggested to the Boone County Health Center Foundation.

Levander Funeral Home of Albion, NE is in charge of the arrangements.

Elizabeth Marie Schmitz, daughter of William August (Gus) and Elizabeth Catherine (Dingwerth) Seier was born on September 4, 1933, at Albion, NE and baptized the same day at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church in Raeville, NE.  She was confirmed at St. John the Baptist in Petersburg, NE. and attended school until the 8th grade in Raeville. At the age of 9 Betty's mother passed away.  Her bonds with her father and siblings remained strong.

On February 25, 1952, Betty was united in marriage to George S. Schmitz at St. Johns in Petersburg, NE. Once married Betty followed George to Georgia where he was in training for the Army.  When George was deployed to Korea, Betty moved back home and lived with her in-laws. When George's tour was complete, the couple lived for a short time with George's family before starting on their own, farming and renting several places from south of Albion to west of Petersburg until moving in November 1962 to their farm Northeast of Albion.  Together George and Betty managed farming, Grade A Dairy, Swine, Chickens, and Stock Cows while raising 4 active children.  In 1972 Betty received her GED.  In January of 1977 Betty started as a nurse's aide at the Boone County Hospital. She received her 30 year service pin and retired in 2008. In addition, she volunteered her time as a grandmother at the hospital nursery which was a highlight for her especially when it was one of her own grandchildren that she cared for.

Betty was a member of the St. Michael's parish, St. Michael's Altar Society, and the American Legion Auxiliary, along with volunteering at the Mission Possible Store. Betty and Rosie Seier led bingo at the nursing home, and she was a member of card clubs in Albion and Petersburg. She enjoyed cooking, playing cards, having coffee with her friends, and spending time with her grandchildren. Betty kept an immaculate home and couldn't rest until everything was done.

Betty is survived by her four children: Mary Schmitz of Albion, NE; Ken (Jo) Schmitz of Raeville, NE; Joe (Connie) Schmitz of Fairbank, IA; Pat (Janet) Schmitz of Albion, NE; 10 grandchildren: Michelle (Rob) Ingersol of Overland Park, KS; Laura (Josh) Ruge of Elgin, NE; Andy Schmitz of Norfolk, NE; Beth (Justin) Temme of Petersburg, NE; Justin Schmitz of Cedar Falls, IA; Tara (Jerry) Yearous of Independence, IA; Katie (Clint) Bell of Jesup, IA; Michael (Jen) Schmitz of Hartington, NE; Jaimie Schmitz of Omaha, NE; Luke (Sonya) Schmitz of Wynot, NE; 18 great-grandchildren: Sofia, Ethan, Sylvia, Maximus, Mae, Molly, Audrey, Henry, Kyle, Jocelyn, Alexis, Gabe, Kayla, Holly, Dawson, Gavin, Graysen, and Daxtyn; sisters-in-law: Sister Gretta Schmitz of Milwaukee, WI, Rosie Seier and Leona Seier both of Albion, NE, along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband George in 1982; seven siblings: Sister Marie Seier, Bernard Seier, Frances Taubenheim; Ignatius Seier, Sister Josie Seier, Jerome Seier and Germain Ketteler.