Shirley Ann Schmidt, age 86, of Arlington, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on
Friday Dec. 9, 2022, at Nye Pointe. She was born in Blair on June 24, 1936, to G. Floyd
and Florence (Johns) Loftis.
She was raised on a farm near Herman. The family moved to Arlington where she
graduated from high school and worked at the Loftis Café.
Shirley was united in marriage to LaVerne Otto Schmidt on Oct. 2, 1953. They lived on a
farm south of Arlington; taking over the dairy operation from his parents in the 1960s where they
raised their four children. They were happily married 66 years.
Shirley was a very active member of the Arlington Community Church where she participated in
all facets of the church operations. In 1993, she was called to be the pastor at the Blair
Congregational UCC. The church grew from her leadership. She retired in 2017 after 24 years of
service.
Shirley is survived by her children: Leland of Sunrise Beach, Mo., Craig (Lori) of Arlington,
Debra of LaVista, Vicki (Pat) of Boonville, Mo. Grandchildren: David (Lisa), Bob
(Sophia), Ashley, Bryan (Steph), Tami, Susan (Bill). Great-grandchildren: Josie, Alexis, Emery,
Estella, Adrian.
Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers, and sisters as well as one
daughter-in-law and one son-in-law.
Funeral Service will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the Blair Congregational
Church in Blair. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Reckmeyer-Moser
Funeral Home in Arlington. Burial will take place at the Herman Cemetery at Herman.
Memorials may be directed to the American Alzheimer’s Association.
Online condolences may be left at: www.mosermemorialchapels.com.
Reckmeyer-Moser Funeral Home, 232 West Eagle, Arlington, NE 68002 402-478-4151.
