Thelma Schmitz died peacefully, surrounded by family, on Thursday, December 18, 2025 in O’Neill, NE. She was ninety-two.

Thelma was a devoted wife and mother who dearly loved her husband, children, and grandchildren. She is survived by her son Douglas and daughter-in-law René of O’Neill, her son David and daughter-in-law Carmen of Naper, her six grandchildren, and her twenty great-grandchildren.

Thelma Rose (Higgins) Schmitz was born on December 1, 1933 to James and Zoe (Brown) Higgins in Brocksburg, NE. She grew up on a ranch in Keya Paha County and graduated from high school in Springview, NE, in 1951. After graduation, she taught in a country schoolhouse for one year. On February 22, 1955, she married Leonard Schmitz at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Naper. They had two children: Douglas, born December 26, 1955; and David, born June 24, 1958.

Douglas married René Kramer, and they have three children: Emily Wlaschin of O’Neill, mother of Jack, Theodore, Oliver, Anne, and Robert; Matthew Schmitz of New York, NY, husband of Julia and father of Hugh, Roger, Josiah, and Austin; and Joseph Schmitz of Lincoln, NE.

David married Carmen Noel, and they have three children: Tony Schmitz of Sioux Falls, SD, husband of Becky and father of Ella, Olivia, Isaac, Aaron, Isabel, and Isidore; Travis Schmitz of Omaha, NE, husband of Kami and father of Jelissa, Jaycie, Jaydin, Jersi, and Jagger; and Tina Dethlefs of Kearney, NE, wife of Adam.

Leonard and Thelma purchased an abandoned farmstead east of Naper. Working side by side, they made it into a successful family farm.

Thelma was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Parish in Naper.

She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Zoe Higgins, Her husband Leonard, her sisters Lila and Opal (Carley), and her brother Orlon.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 10:30am at the Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Butte, NE. Burial will follow at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Naper, NE. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 26, 2025 from 6:00-7:00pm at the Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Butte, NE with a Rosary service beginning at 7:00pm.