Benita M. Schmidt

Benita M. Schmidt of Cozad passed away February 12, 2019 at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg at the age of 92. Benita was born July 23, 1926 in Elwood, Nebraska to Hugo and Maude (Dreher) Boerkircher. She attended grade school at District 51 and graduated from Eustis High School at age 17 with the class of 1943. Benita moved to Gothenburg after graduation and worked at Frenchy's Cafe and for four years at the Gamble Store in Gothenburg. While there, she met a young man by the name of Vernon who she liked being with. On March 7, 1948, she married Vernon Schmidt and they made their home on a farm northeast of Cozad. To this union two sons were born, Lowell and Mark. In 1956,  they purchased and moved to a farm near Stockville, Nebraska and in 1967 moved to another farm near Moorefield, Nebraska. In 1975, Benita moved to Curtis, Nebraska where she clerked at the sale barns in Curtis and Lexington and also worked at Irene's Dress Shop. Benita spent many years working at Boerkircher's Furniture and Floor Covering in Cozad and moved there in 1991. Benita enjoyed sewing shirts for her sons when they were young, dresses and suit jackets for herself. She liked crocheting, doing puzzles, raising flowers, mowing her lawn and family gatherings. She was known for the best cheeseburgers ever made from a skillet, homemade rolls and pies. She was a faithful member of the American Lutheran Church. Past member and President of the Federated Women's Club of Stockville. Benita was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Vernon; brother Roger and his wife Jan Boerkircher; and special friend, Cal Bowman. Survivors include her brother, Don (Lore) Boerkircher of Eustis; sons, Lowell (Katherine) of Moorefield and Mark (Tammy) of Curtis; grandchildren, Roger (Jenae) of Kansas City, MO, Rex (Lori) of Omaha, Renee of Kearney, Sierra of Kearney, Sage of Lincoln, Sabra of Moorefield and Melissa of Curtis; great grandhildren, Mackenzie, Jackson, Avery, Rhyan, Peri, McKenna, Micah, McKaelah and Myah. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Memorials are suggested to the American Lutheran Church. Services will be held Friday, February 15, 2019 10:30 a.m. at the American Lutheran Church with Pastor Steve Berke officiating. Burial will follow at Cozad Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, February 14, 2019 from 1pm to 8pm at Berryman Funeral Home.