Gary Wayne Schmidt, of Seward, was born Sept. 26, 1938, to Claude and Shirley (Krapella) Schmidt in Grand Island.
He graduated from Grand Island High School in 1956. On Nov. 14, 1959, Gary was united in marriage to Karen Lee Zager in Lincoln. Gary and Karen owned their own business in Seward, Gary’s Plumbing and Heating, up until his retirement. Gary’s love for traveling was known to family and friends. If he wasn’t searching for rocks and gems, he was driving the motor home across the country. Gary was blessed to have seen most of the continental United States and shared those adventures with his wife and children. Gary also loved to watch the weather and often times said he missed his calling to be a meteorologist. Gary passed away Jan. 4, 2023, in Seward.
Gary is survived by his children, Doug Schmidt (Alan Carvalho) of Cathedral City, California, Karla (Jayme) Smith of Cook, and Michelle (Greg) Mueller of Seward; grandchildren, Kaleigh (Tanner) Leick of Seward, Sydney (Max) Lorence of Trumbull, Sophie (Alex) Johnston of Lincoln, Kaydon Mueller of Seward, and Katelyn Smith of Cook; great-grandchildren, Hudson and Palmer Leick, Sutton and Judd Lorence, and baby Johnston; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Don Zager of Lincoln, Gary Zager of Lincoln, Dennis Zager of Folsom, California, Ovid Joe and Anna Zager of Crab Orchard, and Charlotte Zager of Lincoln. Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Karen Schmidt; parents, Claude and Shirley Schmidt; parents-in-law, Alvin and Delma Zager; sister, LeeAnn Schlattman; and sisters-in-law, Bonnie Zager and Judy Zager.
The family will be present to greet friends at Volzke Funeral Home on Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. A private committal will be at a later date. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
