Claudine Iris (Hillman) Schmidt passed away peacefully on July 2, 2024, at the age of 93 in Beatrice. She was born in Deshler to Caroline (Kietzke) and Emil Hillman on June 10, 1931, in the same room as her mother was born in. Claudine grew up in Deshler and was baptized, confirmed and married by Pastor Fred Schwerin. Claudine graduated from Deshler High School, while also working at the broom factory. She married Orville Schmidt and had three children. Together they farmed north of Deshler until they moved to town where she worked at Freemans Market until retiring. Together they made quilts for the Orphan Grain Train and gifts for weddings & birthdays. They enjoyed gardening and canning the fruits of their labor. Her hands were always busy working on embroidery projects. She always said the smiles from her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren made her day. 

She was predeceased by her parents; stepfather, Hank Grosshans; husband, Orville; sister, Edna Wall Neesen and her husband’s Irvin & Heiko; brothers, Ralph and his wife Irene, Arthur and his wife Bev, Glenn, Earl; and stepbrother, Robert Grosshans and his wife Marge. Claudine is survived by her three children, Darrel & Gail Schmidt, Iris & Harlan Hintz, Karen & Ron Powell; 6 grandchildren, Amy & Ken Evans, Ryan & Ashley Schmidt, Casper Hintz, Catrina & Brandt  Schaefer, Zach & Alyssa Powell, Josh Powell & Jennifer Heywood; 5 great grandchildren, Austin, Isiah, Rayna, Kingston & Trison; great great grandchild, Ella; sister-in-law, Norma Hillman; brothers-in-law, Fred Schmidt, Marvin Schmidt (Helen) along with many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services will be held at 11 AM Thursday, July 11, 2024, at St Peter Lutheran Church, 400 E Hebron Ave., Deshler, Nebraska with Pastor Brian Francik officiating. There will be no visitation. Private inurnment will be held before the services. Lunch will follow as the family invites you to share your memories of Claudine with them. Memorials may be made to the Orphan Grain Train 4817 N 56th St Lincoln NE 68504 or Good Samaritan Society 401 S 22nd St Beatrice NE 68310. Harman-Wright Mortuary & Crematory in Beatrice in charge of arrangements.