Elizabeth Marie (Heinicke) Schmidt was born February 3, 1936 in Seward, Nebraska the daughter of Rev. Iddo C. Heinicke, Sr. and Elizabeth (Boehne) Heinicke and passed away in Seward, Nebraska on June 22, 2017 at the age of 81 years, 4 months, 19 days. Betsy was baptized by her father at St. John Lutheran Church on February 16, 1936 and confirmed on April 2, 1950. She was a graduate of Concordia High School and Concordia College—Seward. She was united in marriage to Robert D. Schmidt on June 21, 1957. Betsy taught English as a Second Language at a Mission School in Caracas, Venezuela. She also taught kindergarten in Kennewick, Washington. Betsy was employed with Concordia College (now University) in Seward, serving as secretarial assistant to the president for 36 years. Betsy was a faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, she volunteered at Seward Memorial Library and St. John Lutheran Church; she also enjoyed playing bridge. Betsy was an amazing mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, always caring for and sharing with her family.

Betsy is preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her parents, Rev. Iddo C. , Sr. and Elizabeth Heinicke; her brothers and sisters-in-law: Rev. Edward and Nadine Heinicke, Gerhard and Eleanor Heinicke, Theodore Heinicke, Rev. Victor Heinicke, Iddo Heinicke; sister-in-law, Lovila Heinicke; great-granddaughter Reagin Rixstine.

Survivors cherishing Betsy's memory include her daughter Carolyn R. Schmidt of Firth; grandchildren: Kyle Petersen and Jennifer Tyrell of Seward and Emma and Riggin Rixstine of Seward; great-grandchildren: Araeya Rixstine, Tytan Rixstine, Kaesha Tyrell, Greyson McLaughlin and Jaylyn Petersen; brothers and sisters-in-law: Rev. Martin Heinicke, William and Patricia Heinicke; sisters-in-law, Joyce Heinicke, Florence Heinicke and Norma Heinicke; nieces and nephews; other relatives and a host of friends. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of life shared with Betsy.