Roland J. Schmidt

Funeral services for Roland Schmidt of Nemaha will be held Friday, December 31st, 6:30 p.m., at the United Methodist Church in Nemaha, with Reverend Karl Schiltz officiating. Justin Mason and Heidi Mason, pianist, will provide special music along with congregational singing. Honorary pallbearers include the families of Roly and Laurie Schmidt. Active pallbearers are Don Mason and Dewane Smith. Burial will be at the Nemaha Cemetery under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 pm, Friday, at the Nemaha Community Shelter House.

Roland J. Schmidt, age 54, of Nemaha, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, December 28, 2004, at the Loring Hospital in Sac City, Iowa.

Roland John Schmidt was born January 30, 1950, in Carroll, Iowa, the son of Arthur and Viola (Neumann) Schmidt.

Roland “Roly” was baptized and confirmed at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Odebolt. He attended Odebolt Community Schools, graduating from the Odebolt High School. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in May of 1975.

On May 29, 1976, he was united in marriage to Laurie Mason of Nemaha, Iowa.

Roly was assistant manager of an Illinois grain elevator from 1975 to 1978. In 1978 the couple returned to the Nemaha area to fulfill Roly’s dream of farming. He also worked at the Nemaha Mill and Pork 76.

Roly was a dedicated member of his church, community and his chosen occupation of farming. He served on various committees within the Nemaha United Methodist Church and was a member of the Nemaha Fire Department and held positions on local and state Farm Bureau committees. He was a member of the Nemaha Farmall Promenade and most recently was proud to have been a Board member of The Little Sioux Corn Processors Ethanol Plant. He was thrilled to be “adding value” to the crops he so enthusiastically planted and harvested.

Roland could often be found playing monopoly or a game of catch with his nieces and nephews or Euchre with family and friends. He enjoyed fishing trips locally and especially with his Nemaha friends to Canada.

Roland was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents; his father, Art; and father-in-law, Warren “Stub” Mason.

He is survived by his wife, Laurie; mother, Viola Schmidt of Odebolt, Iowa; and his sister, Linda-Mrs. Russ Snygg of Ankeny, Iowa. Other survivors include his mother-in-law, Betty Mason-Grimsman and her husband Vern of Lake View; four sisters-in-law, Julie and Tom McMahon of West Des Moines, Mary and Ralph Goebel of Ames, Jan and David Manzer of Newcastle, WY., Heidi Mason of Des Moines; brother-in-law and his wife, Don and Julia Mason of Granger; 14 nieces and nephews and many extended relatives and friends who are happy to have shared in his life.

HE WILL BE MISSED!!!