Margaret Ann Schmit

Margaret died Friday, June 17, 2011 at her home in Columbus.

Margaret was born on October 11, 1937 in Auburn, Nebraska to Katherine Francis (Mitchell) and Daniel Ross Duncan. She attended the Auburn Grade & High Schools and developed a love for music. She was in lots of District, and State Music Contests for both vocal and instrumental. She played the piano accompanying Jr. Choir, and Youth Groups. She played in the concert, marching and pep bands. She also was in vocal concerts and small group contests. She graduated in 1955 from Auburn High School. She graduated from Peru State College with a degree in Business Accounting. She worked several places in Auburn, including the Federal Land Bank located there. It was while she was working there that she met her husband, Orville Schmit, of 52 years. They married on August 26, 1958 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Auburn. They lived in Auburn, Plattsmouth, Wahoo, Colon, Cedar Bluffs, and finally moving to Columbus, NE in 1971. While living in Plattsmouth she worked for the Western Electric Co.

Over the years they met so many fine people and made lifetime friends. While living in Colon and Cedar Bluffs they had 3 children, Jeannie, Linda, and Daniel. In 1976 Margaret and Orville had a son Thomas born June 7th in Columbus, NE. That completed their family of children. Margaret started her work at Becton Dickinson where she felt that she contributed to a job that helped others. She worked there until she retired in 1994.

Margaret loved to crochet, cross-stitch, cook (especially cookies for the grandchildren) and a lot of time was spent on her favorite hobby, genealogy. She started looking for family descendants, and ended up with LOTS of extended families, many of which she was able to meet in person. She was a member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, Altar Society, Perpetual hour of Prayer at St. Bonaventure, Platte Valley Kin Seekers, the Lupus Support Group, the Arthritis Support Group and the Becton Dickinson Alumni Association.

The most important things to Margaret were: God and His love, and her family.

She is survived by, her Husband, Orville of Columbus and four Children, Jeannie Marie (Seth) Warnke of Chandler, AZ; Linda Kay (Tim) Rodehorst of Columbus, Daniel Joseph Schmit, of San Antonio, TX and Thomas Leo (Lisa) Schmit, of Columbus. Seven Grandchildren, Cameron Warnke of Lincoln, NE, Sgt. Tyler Warnke USMC, Merit Rodehorst, Clayton Rodehorst, Logan Rodehorst, Cornelia Schmit, and-Peter Schmit all of Columbus. Sister-in-law, Jerri Duncan of Auburn, NE, Lorene Kallenbach of Bellwood, NE, and Brother- in-law, Donald Schmit of Fremont, NE.; Step Brother-in-law, Lavern (Norma) Kozisek of David City, NE; Step Sister-in-law, Maxine (Roger) Bredahl of Columbus; Step Brothers-in-law, Eugene Kozisek of Missouri and Bill (Betty) Kozisek of David City, NE; Nieces, Nephews and Friends.

She was preceded in death by her Grandparents, Charles Henry Duncan, Etta Madrid (Bolton) Duncan, Kit Carson Mitchell, Josephine Christine (Gunderson) Mitchell; Parents, Daniel and Katherine Duncan; Brother, Robert Ross Duncan; Brother-in-law, Eugene George Schmit; Sister-in-law, Dorothy (Schmit) Moyer; Brother-in-law, Dean Kallenbach; Sister-in-law, Norma Schmit and Nephew, Corey Kallenbach.