Dennis Ray Schmidt, longtime Brown County resident, died unexpectedly at Nebraska Heart Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, April 23, 2024. He was 81.

Dennis was born at Deshler, Nebraska, July 5, 1942 the son of Herman and Adeline Everheart Schmidt and worked to achieve his GED. He spent most of his working life driving a freight truck for C.F. Motor Freight for many years before retiring in 2007. His retirement job was working as a security guard for the Golden Eagle Casino at Horton for 4 years before working for a few years as security guard for the Brown County Courthouse, retiring after the third time!

Dennis first married Katherine Louise “Kathy” Stahl. To this union five children were born: Philip, Paul, Jeff, Tim and Julie before Kathy and Dennis divorced. He later married Mary Catherine “Cathy” Wareham Sherman, July 18, 1981. Cathy added two daughters to this union Connie and Rebecca. Cathy and Dennis lived all of their married life at Robinson. She died February 9, 2014. He continued to live at Robinson for a number of years before moving to Maple Grove Senior Apartments. For his third marriage, he married Valora Mae “Vi” McKee from August 27, 2015 until she passed away November 11, 2018.

Dennis attended the Robinson United Methodist Church. He and Cathy enjoyed camping in their camper traveling all around making friends and visiting relatives. Along with camping he also enjoyed fishing.

Survivors include children: Philip Schmidt (Linda) of Barnsdall, OK, Paul Schmidt (Patti) of San Antonio, TX, Jeff Schmidt (Veronica) of Joplin, MO, Connie Miller (Dean) of Arlington, WA, and Rebecca “Becky” Morey of Hiawatha, KS, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren; and great-great grandchildren. Dennis- brothers and sisters surviving are: Jim Schmidt (Janice) of Fairbury, NE, Harry Schmidt (Joan) of Beatrice, NE, Mary Wiegert, of Fairbury, Janet Jantzen (Ron) of Jansen, NE, Cheryl Schwartz (Mike) of Fairbury, Barbara Alvin (Steve), of Colby, KS; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Cathy, son Tim Schmidt, daughter Julie Schmidt; siblings: Marilee Perri of Los Angeles, CA, Gary Schmidt and Roger Schmidt, both of Fairbury, and Faye Malchow of Beatrice.

Burial will take place privately with family at Rose Hill Cemetery, Robinson.

A special message may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com