John G. Schmidt, 82, of Minden, formerly of Hildreth, passed away on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at Bethany Home in Minden. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 6, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth with the Revs. Steve and Patti Byrne officiating. Interment will be held in the Hildreth Cemetery with military honors presented by the Hildreth Veteran's of Foreign Wars in conjunction with the Nebraska National Guard. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at the Craig Funeral Home - Jelden Chapel in Hildreth. Craig Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

John Gerald Schmidt was born on August 17, 1935 on his family's farm in rural Franklin County to John E. and Johanna (Giesman) Schmidt. He grew up in the Hildreth area and graduated from Hildreth High School. He later went on to serve his country with the United States Army National Guard.

John was united in marriage to Lila Riggs on December 21, 1959 in Kearney. The couple was blessed with four children: Dale, Karen, Faye and Lori. The family made their home in the Macon area where John and the family were actively involved in farming and raising livestock. John and Lila later moved to Hildreth in the 1990's. He retired from farming soon after, but kept a large garden in town for many years. Lila passed away in 2001.

John was a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and later Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth. He had an exceptional green thumb and considered himself a Farmer for life. He also enjoyed hunting Deer, Pheasant and Quail as well as playing Pool and Pitch, and spending time with family and friends.

Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Dale L. Schmidt of St. Paul, NE; daughters, Faye L. Cherry and husband Bob of Hildreth, Nebraska and Lori Wagner of Palm Harbor, Florida; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, with one more on the way; son-in-law Jeff Lee of Minden, Nebraska, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lila; one daughter, Karen Lee; brothers, Raymond, Edward and Harold; sisters, Ida, Arlene, Elsie and Donna.

Memorials are suggested to the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth.