Eileen M. Schmit

Eileen Marie Schmit, 70, of O'Neill, died Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.

Funeral services were held Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 at St. Patrick's Church in O'Neill. Fr. Bernard Starman officiated.

Burial was in the O'Neill Cemetery in O'Neill.

Memorials may be made to the St. Patrick's Altar Society in Eileen's name or to the family for future designation.

Biglin's Mortuary in O'Neill was in charge of the arrangements.

Eileen was born March 26, 1953 in North Bend to Norman and Marie (Jedlicka) Kracl. She attended District 55, a one room country school in rural North Bend through eighth grade, then graduated from North Bend Central High School in 1971.   After high school, Eileen went on to accounting school in Omaha from 1971-1973.  

The Kracl family moved to O'Neill in 1973 and Eileen began work as the bookkeeper for Kracl Equipment, the family John Deere dealership. She worked at Kracl Equipment for 30 years while also maintaining the books for Nor-Mar farms, Kracl Irrigation and numerous other businesses in O'Neill.

Eileen first met Ron Schmit on the street outside the O'Neill Post office, it was love at first sight. They were married on Nov. 3, 1973 at St. Patrick's Church in O'Neill.  To this union two children were born Travis and Stephanie.  

Early on when Ron worked for NPPD, the couple lived in Grandma Janousek's house north of the hospital (now a parking lot).  In 1977 Ron and Eileen built their first home in O'Neill where they raised their family until moving to their dream home on the Schmit family ranch in 2000.

Eileen never sat still! Through her youth she worked the family farm with her dad helping with the animals and working in the fields. Eileen loved gardening, working in the yard, her flowers and the  joy of the hummingbirds that came back every year. Eileen loved animals including horses and her Cairn terriers. She treasured her 4-H time with Stephanie. She helped coach and transported kids for the Blue Dolphin Swim Team every summer. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining and couldn't wait for the holidays to host family and friends. Eileen enjoyed camping, boating, hunting and fishing with her family. For many years Ron and Eileen, along with their friends the Ludemann's and a host of wonderful helpers, have hosted turkey hunts for veterans and active service members through the Patriot Hunts organization. 

  Eileen retired in 2005 and Ron in 2011, they spent nine years traveling in their bus and in the 10th year bought a home in Arizona.  

She was a wonderful painter, enjoyed her glasswork and antiquing in her spare time. She had a big heart and helped those in need. She was always going nonstop without any complaining and just took care of whatever needed to be done.

Ron and Eileen celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary together at the ranch on Nov. 3rd, 2023.

Eileen is survived by her husband of 50 years Ron Schmit; one son Travis (Molly) Schmit and their children Chandler, Eden and Ava, all of Lincoln; one daughter Stephanie (Lee) Clark and their children Andrew and Alex, all of Norfolk; three siblings Bob (Barbra) Kracl, Carol (Mike) Hedlund and Mike (Wanda) Kracl all of O'Neill; two brothers-in-law Mike (Lexie) Schmit of York and Don (Holly) Schmit of Aurora; one sister-in-law Regina (Joe) Kafka of Sioux Falls, SD; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.  

She was preceded in death by her parents Norman and Marie Kracl, an infant brother Anton Kracl and one brother Steven Kracl.