Edwin R. Schmidt

Edwin R.

Schmidt, age 77, of Mesa, Arizona, formerly of Wood River, passed away on May 16, 2024, at his residence in Arizona. Per his wishes, cremation was chosen. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 8, at 11:00 am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Island, with Reverend Adam Snoberger officiating.

Burial of ashes will follow at the Shelton Cemetery at 2:30 p.m.

Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church or donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be left at www.giallfaiths.com.

Edwin was born on September 4, 1946, in Grand Island to Rudolph and Mabel (Gosda) Schmidt. He was raised on a farm southwest of Wood River.

He attended District 27 country school through the eighth grade and then attended Wood River High School.

He was a lifelong farmer and in his younger years raised sheep and cattle. Edwin was a Payco seed dealer for a time, and was instrumental in planning, working, and seeing the completion of the Lepin Flood Control project, which alleviated much of the farmland flooding in the Platte Valley south of Wood River.

Edwin was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

Edwin was a member of the Moose Lodge and Elks Lodge in Mesa, Arizona, where he had resided since 2014. Edwin lived life to the fullest. Friends and family were the most important things to him. He enjoyed making people laugh and bringing joy to everyone’s life. Edwin was always the life of any party.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Brian Schmidt, of Wood River, and Peggy (Todd) Michel, of Kearney; three grandchildren, Kaylee, Samuel, and Rachel; one great-grandchild, Adalynn; and siblings, Roger (Jeanette) Schmidt, Chuck Schmidt, Carol Swoboda, Beverly (Rick) Davis, and Cynthia (Kevin) Moon.

Edwin was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eldon Schmidt; and brother-in-law, Bill Swoboda.