Phyllis Lorraine Schmidt

A prayer service followed by a time of music will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 4:30 PM with a visitation from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the Furness Funeral Home of Clark, SD. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church of Willow Lake, SD at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior and lunch to follow at the St. James Catholic Hall Parish. Burial will be in the spring at Collins Cemetery.

Phyllis' funeral service will be live streamed and may be viewed at the time of service on the Furness Funeral Home Facebook page.

Phyllis Lorraine Schmidt, age 89, died at the Prairie Lakes Hospital on Saturday, January 28, 2023 after a short illness.

Phyllis Lorraine Schmidt was born May 30, 1933 to Vern and Vera (Beavers) Herker on a farm near Raymond in Clark County. She was the fifth child born of sixteen; only fourteen of which grew to adulthood. Phyllis attended several country schools in the Clark and Raymond area before leaving home at age 14 to live by herself in Willow Lake to attend Willow Lake High School. During her high school years she worked several jobs to support herself as did many rural kids form that era. She graduated from Willow Lake High School in 1951. She was united in marriage to Menno H (Babe) Schmidt on June 17, 1951 in Willow Lake. Her son Allen, was born in April 1952, followed by Terry in January 1955, and Bob in July 1962.

In 1953 Phyllis started working at the Willow Lake Livestock Auction in the Café. She later moved to the sales office as a clerk working in the Willow Lake and DeSmet Sale Barns for several decades. Phyllis had many jobs throughout her life; including Sexton at Collins Cemetery; but first and foremost, she was a farm wife and mother. From doing fieldwork to driving potato trucks or making hot meals for the men in the field, she was the glue that held everything together. She continued to help around the farm giving rides or running for parts as recently as the harvest of 2022.

Phyllis enjoyed traveling, quilting, reading, and attending family events. She was a member of the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church, Willow Lake Lioness and Lions Clubs, and part of a small group of women that recognized a need for a swimming pool in Willow Lake. With their skillful organizing and fundraising efforts, a strong foundation was built for the swimming pool to come to fruition.

Grateful for having shared in her life are her sons, Terry (Brenda) Schmidt of Watertown SD and Bob (Melanie) Schmidt of Willow Lake SD, grandchildren Heather (Leo) Garcia of Charlotte NC, Michelle (Shawn) Poe Sioux Falls SD, Michael (Kelsey) Schmidt, Spirit Lake IA, Garrett (Brooklyn) Schmidt of Willow Lake SD, great grandchildren, Aili, Elijah, Brielle, Bella, Callista, Elise, Lowen, Abram, Vada, and Hugh, brother, Jerry (Patti) Herker Medical Lake WA, sister Eva (Ron) Frank Blaine MN, brother Ron (Mary Jo) Herker Coon Rapids MN, three sisters in-law, Sally Herker Kennewick WA, Helen Schmidt Willow Lake SD, Laurie Herker Litchfield MN, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Menno, son Allen, a grandson Erik, six brothers and six sisters, and  numerous other family members.

In lieu of flowers family requests donations and memorials be made out to the Collins Cemetery c/o Lucille Birkholtz 42341 193rd St Willow Lake, SD 57278.

Funeral arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home of Clark, SD where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com.