William Michael "Uncle Bill" Schmit was born June 26, 1929, to John Schmit and Gertrude (Schaefer) Schmit.  Uncle Bill was born on the Schmit Ranch in the home he lived in for his entire 91 years.  He was so proud of that!  He attended school in Nenzel through the 10 ^th grade and then worked on the family farm.  During WWII, Uncle Bill enlisted in the Army, went to Omaha for his physical, and was sent home.  The military required one brother to stay home, and all of Uncle Bill's brothers were already enlisted.

As a kid, Uncle Bill was known as Billy.  He played baseball, travelling to Eli for games with families like the Linnenbrink's.  Uncle Bill spoke fondly of the Stasch cousins, and he and his best friend, Mona Stasch, can be seen laughing together in pictures of younger years.  Uncle Bill's memories tell the story of a changing generation.  He was born in a time most of us can no longer fathom.  There was no running water, no electricity, and food was scarce.  Being picky about your plate wasn't a luxury that could be afforded in a family of twelve: 8 boys, 2 girls, and Mom and Dad.  Raising hogs, milking cows, plowing fields, thrashing wheat, walking or riding horseback 3 miles to school, and wearing clothes made from flour sacks were common place for Uncle Bill's family.  Uncle Bill learned how to do all the outside chores, as well as becoming an amazing cook and baker. Being the second to youngest boy had him spending a lot of time helping Grandma Gertie.  There were older brothers for outside work, and Grandma needed a lot of help raising her growing family.  Churning butter, baking bread, and separating cream were skills that found their way to Uncle Bill's resume.  He was proud of these skills and later shared them with great nieces and nephews.

When Grandma, Sis, was born the Schmit family dynamic changed.  There was a new little girl to spoil, and thus, began Uncle Bill's baby whispering days.  Uncle Bill had a soft spot for Sis.  He even made sure she had a doll for Christmas on a year when times were too tough for gifts and extras.  Sis became a life long friend, neighbor, and pivotal part of Uncle Bill's life.  Uncle Bill's Mother, Gertrude, passed away in 1983, making him the owner of the Schmit Ranch, established in 1928 by his father, John.  Uncle Bill ran Hereford cows, raised hogs, and grew the most beautiful flowers in the county.  Uncle Bill expanded his ranch with the purchase of the Stephen's Place from Maggie Stephen.  Her husband was gone.  The bank was going to foreclose, and she knew Uncle Bill would follow through with paying her.  They agreed on a price, and the deed was signed.  In 1980, he asked his niece and nephew, Jim and Anita Robinson, to come back to work for him, managing the ranch.  They took the job working for Uncle Bill and live on the Stephen's Place to date.  Shawn Robinson, Jim and Anita's son, joined the ranch team in 2003, and Danielle Robinson, their youngest daughter, came home in 2009, thus, forming the Schmit Robinson Ranch.  The Hereford herd slowly transitioned to Angus, and then added some Gelbvieh influence.  There may have been a few years with a hint of Limousine in the herd, but we won't talk about that. 😊

Uncle Bill's summers often included visits from nieces and nephews and, later, great nieces and nephews.  Some stayed for summer jobs; some just spent time visiting.  He loved company and looked forward to seeing friends and family pull in the driveway.  On warm summer evenings, Uncle Bill could be found sitting in a lawn chair, watching the road.  If you were sitting with him, you'd be treated to a famous Uncle Bill saying, "Who be that? Who say, who be that?" as a vehicle drove by, and then you'd try to figure out what they were doing and where they might be going.

Uncle Bill was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served St. Mary's Parish as a 4 ^th Degree Knight.  He was sitting in front of the Schmit Store with Uncle Bud when the tornado hit Nenzel in 1962, destroying the church.  Uncle Bill helped the community raise funds for the new church, seeing it through to its completion in 1963.  He loved St. Mary's and its parishioners, and could faithfully be found, every Sunday and Holy Day, in the second section, 2 pews from the back on the right hand side.  His pew will be empty now, and he will be missed.

Uncle Bill loved.  He loved family, and although, you rarely heard him say 'I love you', you didn't wonder how he felt.  He loved a good game of cards: 31, Pitch, Tripoly, or Rummy, particularly when he was winning. 😊  He loved family gatherings, neighbors, and friends.  If there was going to be a meal, you could count on his RSVP.  He loved to eat good food!  Ranching and working cattle also made the list of things he loved.  He rode horseback until his knees wouldn't allow it.  Uncle Bill ran the gate, tallied cattle, and at 90 years old, could still be found with a hotshot on the catwalk sending cattle toward the chute.  Uncle Bill loved to watch the kids ride horses, and he loved to hunt with his buddy, James.  He'd hustle to get out the door in time to see James shoot a rabbit or drive him around for hours to find a bird.

Uncle Bill loved.  He loved to live.  He always had time for a pop, a beer, or a cup of coffee.  If you mentioned ice fishing, give him a second to grab his pole, worms, and some cleats, and he'd be ready to go.  He loved to ice fish!  He always caught fish, even when everyone else got skunked.  Little kids loved Uncle Bill, and he loved them.  He'd rock new babies to sleep and cuddle toddlers at bedtime.   Uncle Bill has even been a babysitter.  While the kids may have gotten wild before supper and terrorized the house, by the end of the night, they could all by found sleeping in his lap.  Two kids or five, there was room for them all.

Uncle Bill loved.  He loved to help people.  His generosity knew no limits.  If you needed tools, a tractor, lumber, a meal, or even a place to live, Uncle Bill was your guy, without question or hesitation.  Uncle Bill was a giver of hugs, a firm handshake, and a smile to say hello.  He loved to be with people.

Beloved Uncle, Rancher, Friend: the words on his stone couldn't hold more truth.  He chose them, lived by them.  If you stopped in to say hello, you had a friend for life.  Everyone who met him knew him as Uncle Bill, related or not.  Sit down to supper with him, and you'd be treated to a full meal, a glass of milk, and a bowl of ice cream.  Stop in on a hot day, and you could expect a cold drink, and any day of the year, a cup of coffee.  He was one-of-a-kind, and he will be greatly missed.

Uncle Bill left this world on October 31, 2020, quietly, peacefully, in the home where he was born, surrounded by love.  He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and many great friends.  Uncle Bill is survived by one sister-in-law, Barbara Schmit, and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as great and great-great nieces and nephews.  Uncle Bill may be gone from this earth, but he will live forever in our hearts, through the memories we share and the stories we tell.

Mass of Christian Burial for Bill Schmit age 91 of Nenzel will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7 ^th at 10 AM MT at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Nenzel.  Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery.  Rosary will be at 7 PM MT on Friday, Nov. 6 ^th at the Church in Nenzel.  Visitation will be at 6 PM MT before the Rosary at the Church.  Mr. Schmit passed away on Oct. 31 at his home in Nenzel.

Survivors

Sister-in-law-Barbara Schmit

Nieces and Nephews

Great nieces and nephews

Great great nieces and nephews