Ralph H. Schmidt, 84 of Norfolk, Nebraska, formerly of Monroe, Nebraska died Monday, October 29, 2001 at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk, Nebraska. Services will be held at Monroe United Methodist Church, Monroe, Nebraska on Thursday, November 01, 2001 at 10:30 AM with Rev. Bev Minor officiating. Interment will be at the Okay Cemetery north of Monroe. Visitation will be held at Gass Haney Funeral Home on Wednesday, October 31, 2001 from 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM and at Monroe United Methodist Church  on Thursday, November 1, 2001 from 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM.  There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 AM, Thursday at the church.
Ralph was born January 31, 1917 north of Monroe, Nebraska to Nicholas & Emma (Janssen) Schmidt. He was baptized on March 25, 1917 at Zion Lutheran Church in Platte Center, Nebraska. He attended Wattsville School. He was a member of Wattsville church before it closed and moved to Monroe. On July 3, 1939, he married Esma Truelove in Monroe. Ralph worked on the construction of the Monroe and the Brady, Nebraska Powerhouse's. He and Esma lived in Brady for 1.5 years before moving back to Monroe. 
Ralph joined the US Army on February 19, 1943 and was honorably discharged on November 5, 1945. He was a PFC in the 110 Medical Battalion. He received 5 campaign ribbons: Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe.
After returning from the service, Ralph worked at the Monroe Elevator, D.H. Ziegler for 9 years and for 28 years for the Monroe Powerhouse. He was a member of the Monroe Fire Department for 20 years and had served on the Monroe Town Board. He was a charter member of the American Legion, Swanson Post 322 of Monroe for 56 years, a lifetime member of the VFW in Columbus and attended the Monroe Methodist Church.
He was a great fan of the Atlanta Braves and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He also loved to go hunting and fishing. For the past five years, Ralph lived at "The Meadows" in Norfolk and enjoyed his family and friends.

Ralph is survived by: 
Daughter - Kathleen (Michael) Gardner - Norfolk, NE 
Sister - Hazel Swanson - El Sobrante, CA 
Grandson - Caleb Gardner - Norfolk, NE 
Grandson - Micah Gardner - Norfolk, NE 
Sister-in-law - Kay Schmidt - El Cerrito, CA

Many Nieces and Nephews

Ralph was preceded in death by: 
Father - Nicholas Schmidt
Mother - Emma (Janssen) Schmidt
Wife - Esma (Truelove) Schmidt
Sister - Laura Johnson
Brother - John Schmidt
Brother - Walt Schmidt
Brother - Ed Schmidt
Brother - Alfred Schmidt
Brother - Bill Schmidt
Brother - Wood Schmidt
Brother - Alvin Schmidt

SERVICE FOLDER

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall
not want. He maketh me to lie
down in green pastures; He leadeth
me beside the still waters. He
restoreth my soul; He leadeth me
in the paths of righteousness for
His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil; for Thou art with me;
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort
me; Thou preparest a table before
me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou anointest my head with oil,
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall
follow me all the days of my life;
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.

In Memory Of

Ralph H. Schmidt

Born
Wednesday, January 31, 1917
Rural Monroe, Nebraska

Entered Into Rest
Monday, October 29, 2001
Norfolk, Nebraska

Service
Thursday, November 1, 2001       10:30 A.M.
Monroe United Methodist Church
Monroe, Nebraska

Officiating
Rev. Bev Minor

Music
Jeanne Jarecki ~ Organist
Pat Cool ~ Soloist
"Amazing Grace"
"How Great Thou Art"

Casket Bearers
Dave Park                   Hans Jensen
Willie Bernt                Jerry Engberg
Ardean Stone      Quentin Johnson

Interment
Okay Cemetery
Rural Monroe, Nebraska

Military Honors
American Legion Honor Guard
Swanson Post 322