Donald Dean Schmidt

June 30, 1946 - Jan. 27, 2010

ELWOOD -- Donald Dean Schmidt, 63, died Wednesday (Jan. 27, 2010) at Elwood Care Center in Elwood.

He was born June 30, 1946, in Holdrege to Bernard and Ruth (Swanson) Schmidt. He attended school at Holdrege High School and graduated in 1968. During high school he worked as a bellboy at the Hotel Dale in Holdrege. After graduation he worked for Swift Beef Packing at Gordon and helped build grain bins. He then moved to Greeley, Colo. and worked for Monfort Beef Packing. He moved to Fresno, Calif., where he worked for Fig Packing Plant and later for a large dairy, helping milking cows. While in California, he cleaned and washed dishes for a couple of different night clubs. In April of 1997 he moved back to Elwood.

He attended church at the Salvation Army in Holdrege until it later closed.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Milan Schmidt and infant brother, Bernard Schmidt.

Survivors include three sisters, Kay and husband, Dennis Evans of Elwood, Verlene and husband, Dennis Freeland of Oxford, Carole and husband, Harvey Conley of Sanger, Calif.; twin brother, Ronald Schmidt of Holdrege and brothers, Raymond Schmidt of Exeter and Leighton and wife, Janet Schmidt of Beaver City.

Funeral services will be Saturday, 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Elwood with the Rev. Linda Newman, officiating. Interment will be at Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.

Viewing ends Friday at 8 p.m., at Elwood Funeral Home in Elwood.

Condolences and personal reflections may be left at www.elwoodfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be given to the Elwood Care Center or donor's choice.

Elwood Funeral Home of Elwood is in charge of the arrangements.