Ella Frances Schmidt was born on October 9, 1924 to Frank J. and Mathilda (Sedlacek) Brezina on the Brezina family farm east of Tripp, South Dakota. As a child, she attended Lake Region District Country School. On September 29, 1947, Ella was united in marriage to Albert C. Schmidt by Rev. J. R. Shepard at Emmaus Lutheran Church in Tripp. Together they made their home on a farm southwest of Tripp in Fair Township where Ella helped her husband as a hardworking farmwife. Ella was a strong, independent woman who gave 100 percent of herself to field work, farm chores, and her bountiful garden. Her favorites were raising chickens and mowing with her John Deere riding mower. She was a truly gifted cook; every meal was homemade and from scratch, including family favorites apple pie and fried chicken.

In 1993, the couple retired from farming and moved into Tripp. Ella began to work for the Tripp school district with food service and greatly enjoyed interacting with the students. After 5 years, she retired from work to devote herself to caring for Albert and his failing health.

Ella loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was supportive of them and attended many of their various school activities. She also worked hard to encourage her grandchildren’s work ethic, like paying them a penny for each potato bug they picked from her garden.

In her spare time, Ella loved polka dancing with Albert at local dances and watching Lawrence Welk’s Show on Saturdays. She also enjoyed crosswords, word search puzzles, pinochle, and Tuesday bingo. Throughout the years, she also enjoyed volunteering at the Good Samaritan Society of Tripp. She also loved flowers and grew numerous varieties.

Ella was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. In June 2016 due to her failing health, Ella became a resident at the Good Samaritan Society of Tripp and it was there that she passed away on Thursday, December 29, 2016 having attained the age of 92 years, 2 months, and 20 days.

She is survived and remembered by her children: Sharon (Gary) Ugland of Omaha, NE, Al “Butch” (Judy) Schmidt of Sioux Falls, David (Deb) Schmidt of Tripp, and Mary (Steve) Fideler of Tripp; grandchildren: Mark (Jodee) Ugland of Omaha, Michael Ugland of Omaha, Jeff (Jenn) Schmidt of Sioux Falls, Jeremy (Heather) Schmidt of Minneapolis, MN, AJ (Monica) Schmidt of Sioux Falls, Chris (Sarah) Fideler of Sioux Falls, Casey (Stephin) Fideler of Sioux Falls, Sarah Fideler of Sioux Falls, and Steven Fideler and friend Kristi of Sioux Falls; great-grandchildren: Malley, Jenna, Serena, Trevor, Kaden, Grant, Griffin, Charlie, Graham, Stella, Amelia, and Corbin; sister-in-law Geraldine Brezina; and Ella’s long-time friend Dorothy Friman of Tripp.

She was welcomed into Heaven by her husband, parents, and siblings: Emil Brezina, Edward Brezina, Helen (Alvin) Rokusek, and Hattie (Peter) Becvar.

- Iten Funeral Home