Meleese R. Schmidt

A Memorial Service for Meleese was held on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Farmer & Son Funeral Home in Geneva. Kim Dunker presided over the Memorial Service. A private Committal of Ashes will be held in the Fairmont Cemetery at a later date. The recorded songs for the service included "Clinging To A Saving Hand," "There Goes My Everything," "How Great Thou Art," and "Holes In The Floor Of Heaven." Honorary Pallbearers included Brent Beekman, Roc Beekman, Ryan Beekman, Nick Beekman, Jake Beekman, Bill Dammann, and Michael Nelson. Memorials are suggested to the family. Meleese Rochelle Schmidt was born to Oscar H. & Francis M. (Carstens) Beekman on May 6, 1944 at Goodland, Kansas. She passed away on March 5, 2024 at her home in Fairmont, Nebraska after a brief illness at the age of 79 years, 9 months, and 30 days. She was one of 7 children born in the family. Meleese was married to Richard J. Schmidt of Lewiston, Nebraska on October 6, 1963 and to this union a son was born, John Schmidt. In her early working career, Meleese worked as a material cutter in Breckenridge, Minnesota. In 1984, she changed vocations and became an over the road truck driver, joining her husband, Richard. The job allowed them to be together while they worked, and they were a good team. They continued truck driving for 28 years for various owners, as owner operators, and finally as company drivers before retiring in 2012. In her free time, Meleese enjoyed playing cards, canning, bowling, and camping. She especially enjoyed time with family and friends. She was a member of the Fairmont American Legion Auxiliary Post 21, serving as Vice President. She was also a longtime member of the GFWC Fairmont Women’s Club Meleese was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar & Francis Beekman; brothers, Merv Beekman & wife Jenny and Rod Beekman; brothers-in-law, Paul Dammann, Lorin (Bud) Schmidt & wife Nancy, and Marvin Schmidt; sisters-in-law Norma Beekman and Esther Ward & husband Bill. She is survived by her husband Richard Schmidt of Fairmont, Nebraska; son John Schmidt and significant other Jann Geiler and her family of Fairmont, Nebraska; grandson, Anthony (AJ) Schmidt of Bozeman, Montana; sister, Madeleine Dammann of Albuquerque, New Mexico; brothers, Rush Beekman & wife Sally of Beatrice, Nebraska, Fred Beekman of Beatrice, Nebraska, Tom Beekman & wife Becky of Farwell, Texas; sister-in-law, Sherri Beekman of Beatrice, Nebraska; special friends Michelle McCoy and her family of Fairmont, Nebraska; and nieces, nephews and extended family.

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Meleese R. Schmidt

May 6, 1944 - March 5, 2024