James "Jim" Jerome Schmidt

James Jerome Schmidt "Jim", age 78, passed away Monday, March 13, 2023, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Visitation will be Thursday, March 16, 2023, from 5-7pm and a vigil to follow at 7pm at McKown Funeral Home in Columbus, Ne. Funeral services will be held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Columbus Friday, March 17th at 11:30am.

Jim was born on May 27, 1944, in Columbus, Nebraska to Julius and Vera (Schefcick) Schmidt. On March 1, 1969, he married Darlene Schindler of Ewing, Nebraska, just celebrating their 54th wedding anniversary. They remained in Columbus having four children until 1985 they relocated to California and returned to Nebraska in 2002 to Kennard, Ne.

Jim was a professional truck driver for over 55 years. He loved driving and seeing the country where he visited nearly every State in the US including Hawaii. Of course, the warmer States were his favorite and if you knew Jim, you knew he didn't like to be cold. He had a love for nature and enjoyed gardening, as well as trees.

Over the past 20 years, he had planted over 100 trees around his acreage, including all his favorite fruit trees. Enjoying the outdoors, he provided the birds with plenty of trees to build their nests in, feeding them, and building birdhouses for them as well. Jim also loved horses and had owned a few of them in his lifetime. When he was young, he worked at the Platte County Ag horse racing park, caring for racehorses.

Jim spent his life working and making his family his priority. Jim's biggest love in life was his family and he adored all of his grandkids and great-grandkids; the ornerier the kids were the better. He had a special bond with each and a nickname for everyone. Jim battled many health issues throughout his life, but his drive and internal fortitude always proved to win out over the serious illnesses that afflicted him. We sincerely believe it was the love of his family that fueled the fire, for him to overcome those obstacles.

Jim is survived by his wife Darlene, sons Brady and fiancé (Shannon) Schmidt of Ukiah, CA, Troy (Shelley)Schmidt of Arlington, NE daughter Tammy (Jim) Hilzendeger of Kennard, NE. 7 Grandkids, and 6 great-grandkids. Sister-in-law Maryanne Schmidt of Columbus, Brother Richard "Dick" and Barbara Schmidt of Lakeport, CA.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Vera Schmidt, sister Jeannie Schmidt, brothers John and Jerome Schmidt, and daughter Baby Charity Jean Schmidt.