Merlene J. Schmidt

Merlene Joyce (Jordening) Schmidt, age 89, received her angel wings on February 4, 2023. Merlene was born at Daykin, NE, on September 11, 1933 to Leland and Ella (Marschman) Jordening, baptized on September 17, 1933 and confirmed June 22, 1947.

Merlene attended Rural District #72 School and graduated from Fairbury High School in 1951.  She worked as a bookkeeper at Chevrolet until she married Mark Schmidt on July 12, 1953.

Mark was enlisted in the United States Airforce and during those years she worked at dealerships in Texas and California. In 1956 they returned to the farm until Mark semi-retired in 1996 and they moved to Fairbury.

Merlene was an active member in Extension Services, Tryette Club, Lutheran Missionary League, and as a “Lamp Lighter” for AAL Insurance Co. She loved to quilt and made quilts for all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Mark and Merlene traveled throughout the 50 states, Canada, Alaska, Panama, China, countries in South America, Europe and Central Mexico.

She is survived by her loving husband Mark of 69 years, three children, son Dell (Sandy) Schmidt of Fairbury, and two daughters Coleen (Lou) Primero of Lincoln and Rojean (Tim) Earhart of Nebraska City, 10 grandchildren & 18 great-grandchildren, sisters Carlyn Koenig of Beatrice & Betty (Merlin) Southwick of Jamaica Plain, MA and brother-in-law Gale (Carolyn) Schmidt of Chicago, IL.

Preceded in death by her parents Leland & Ella Jordening, Lawrence and Hazel Schmidt, brother-in-law Ronald Koenig, sister-in-law Lois Schmidt and granddaughter Cassandra Earhart.

Services will be Friday, February 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church – Daykin, NE. Viewing at the funeral home only on Thursday from 8 a.m. – 8p.m. Memorials to the LWML Special Gifts Fund. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com