Sarah Mae Schmitz was born on Oct. 3,1929 to James Leroy Davis and Lenora Lena Kramer in St. Charles, SD and passed away at the age of 90, Oct.29, 2019 at Avera St. Anthony Hospital in O'Neill, NE.
Sarah was united in marriage to Gerald M. Schmitz at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Naper, NE on April 3, 1948. To this union two sons and two daughters were born. They made their home in Naper. Sarah worked by Gerald's side at their produce station for twenty-five years. Sarah would often sneak to nearby ponds to fish when she was given the chance. When the station closed, and Gerald was asked to move for his feed business they bought a home in Butte. Sarah continued with gardening, playing cards with family and friends and babysitting children she adored as if her own grandchildren. When Gerald passed in July of 2010, Sarah moved to the Twin Butte Villa in Butte. She enjoyed visiting friends, playing bingo at the nursing home and going to the Casino with her special friend Charles Fernau. Due to health issues Sarah moved to Spencer Villa in Spencer and then to O'Neill Care and Rehab in O'Neill, where she met many new friends. Sarah moved back to Butte and was living at Butte Senior Living until her death.
Sarah was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Gerald; an infant son Myron James; infant grandson Mark James Schonebaum; her brother John Davis; sister-in-law Bobbi Davis; and brother-in-law Carl Ludemann.
Sarah is survived by her three children Dennis (Julia) of Huron, SD, Barbara (Loren) Nicolaus of Butte, NE, Kimberly Schonebaum (Wayne Kaup) of Stuart, NE. Eight grandchildren Michael (Kady) Schmitz of Rapid City, SD, Shane and Scott Nicolaus of Butte, NE, Dana (Casey) Roth of Sioux Falls, SD, Tiffany Bartling of Burke, SD, James (LaNeal) Schonebaum of Herrick, SD, Mindy Schonebaum of Orchard, NE, and Andy (Emily) Schonebaum of Harrisburg, SD. Seventeen great grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, three step great grandchildren and one step great-great grandchild, her brother Norm (Melva) Davis of Sioux Falls, SD, sister Donna Ludemann of Stanton, NE, and Joan Kay Davis of Chamberlain, SD.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 4, 2019 at 10:30 AM at Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Butte. Burial will be in the Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Butte. There will be a visitation from 5 pm until 7 pm on Sunday, with a 7 pm prayer service and rosary, at the Church.