Lyle C. Schmidt, “Smitty”, 82, of Fairbury, NE passed away April 2, 2020 at JCH&L in Fairbury. Lyle was born February 8, 1938 in Sutton, NE to William A. and Melva L. (Mohnike) Schmidt.
Lyle grew up and attended school in Sutton, NE where he played trombone in band and enjoyed being part of the high school athletic teams. He excelled in basketball and in football as quarterback. Lyle also ran track and was a state qualifier his Senior year. Upon graduation in 1957, he received a football scholarship to Fairbury Junior College. While attending college, he played football for one year for coach Red Grovert. His team competed in the National Junior College Championship Bowl in 1958 at Texarkana in Texas.
Lyle married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Trautman, July 18, 1958 in Sutton and moved to Fairbury. To this union were born four children, Rebecca, Craig, Victoria and Russell. Family was very important in his life. Many week-ends were spent with family in Sutton. He also enjoyed taking the family on Sunday drives through the Steele City Canyons, on cross-country family vacations, swimming trips to the river, taking the kids to HS state t

 

ournament games, attending High School and College football games at Quinn Field and cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Lyle started working at Roodes Packing Company while in college. After Roodes, he was employed at Eigenberg Produce, where he drove a chicken truck and traveled to various states. He enjoyed driving truck and meeting new people in his travels. Then, he worked at DeWitt Vice-Grips company on the line.
In 1977, he started at the Brick Yard in Endicott where he worked running a planer in the pit. Once the planer shut down he moved to the Shop and worked in the maintenance department. After 30 years of employment at the Brick Yard, he retired in 2007.
Living at “The Farm”, so called by the family, on Rose Creek, he continued his great passion for fishing, camping and being outside, as well as, bird hunting and messing around on many projects in his shop. All of the things he loved most in life he shared with his kids and grandkids. Days at the Farm were spent with Ginger, his Springer Spaniel. She was his constant partner in crime.
Lyle loved attending his kids’ events and school activities. This support continued on when the grandkids had their own activities. Although it was little harder for him to attend all of the great-grandkids events, his support continued and everyone loved seeing him cheer for them.
Lyle was a long time member of the Presbyterian Church and served on the session.
Lyle was also a member of the Elks, where he recently received his 60 years award.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon K. (Trautman); children, Becky (Marvin) Stelling of Fairbury, Craig (Teresa) Schmidt of Walterboro, SC, Vicky (Don) Earl of Mullen, NE and Russ (Kathy) Schmidt of Concordia, KS; grandchildren, Erin (Drew) Hardenburger of Belleville, KS, Nathan (Ashley) Stelling of Fairbury, Justin (Tatum) Stelling of Fairbury, Curtis (Christina) Schmidt of Beatrice, NE, Heidi (Robby) Davis of Walterboro, SC, Brad Earl of Fairbury, Kayla (Ian) Bester of Murdo, SD, Tory (Patty) Seibolt of Blackfoot, ID, Miranda (Jesse) Frye of Concordia, KS, Travis (Abigail) Schmidt of Great Bend, KS, and Trevor Schmidt of Manhattan, KS; great-grandchildren, Beckett and Brinley, Wesley, Taten and Olive, Kaylee and Rowen, Bryant, Logan, Javisi and Aydan, Kaedyn and Keltyn, Kyndal and Lachlan, and two great-grandsons arriving in April/May; Lyle’s brothers, Gerald Schmidt of Lincoln, NE, Dick Schmidt of New Jersey, and sisters: Nancy Bottorf of Tucson, AZ and Cindy (Larry) Krous of Lincoln, NE; sisters-in-law, Marcy Atkins of Fairbury, Pam Conn of Fremont, and Lori (Jeff) Bonnett of Omaha; brother-in law, Bruce (Kim) Trautman of West Des Moines, IA, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and lots of friends.
Lyle “Smitty” had an infectious laugh and an ornery side with a can in his hand, always ready to throw a BS at you. He was incredibly loved and will be deeply missed by all.
“In these moments of heartbreaking grief, I remember the only reason why we have an empty space is because we were blessed with someone who loved us so beautifully it occupied an entire part of our soul.” – Chelsea Ohlemiller
A celebration of life service will be held at a later date with interment in Sutton, NE. Memorials have been designated to the family's choice. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com