Demaris Ann Schmidt

Demaris Ann (Bolli) Schmidt, 78, of Arcadia, died Friday, May 20, 2022, at Rose Lane Home in Loup City, after a long hard fight with cancer.

Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Arcadia United Methodist Church. The Rev. Jeff Hale and lifelong friend, Rolen Sell will officiate. Burial will be in the Lee Park Cemetery west of Arcadia.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Arcadia United Methodist Church.

Memorials are suggested to the Arcadia Fire Department or Lee Park Cemetery Association.

Peters Funeral Home of Loup City and St. Paul is assisting the family.

Demaris was born on Oct. 1, 1943, in Ord, the only child of Howard and Elvira (Johnson) Bolli. Her early childhood was spent on the family farm west of Arcadia. When it was time for her to start school, she moved to town and lived with her grandmother, Minnie Johnson, until her parents moved to Arcadia a few years later. Demaris graduated from Arcadia High School in 1962.

On July 22, 1962, she married her high school sweetheart, Allan Schmidt. They made their home for a short time in Arcadia before moving to St. Paul. Al and Demaris welcomed their first child, Shelley, in 1963. In the spring of 1966, Al started working for Farwell Irrigation District and the small family moved to Sherman Dam. Later that same year, their son Todd was born. When Al was hired by Middle Loup Irrigation District in Arcadia, the family was able to return home to Arcadia. After living in a couple different homes, Al and Demaris purchased her dad’s farm and built their homestead where she would live the rest of her life.

Demaris worked for Jeff Hruby at Hruby’s Market for several years before starting work at Phil ‘N Shop in Loup City in 1986. When Jim Trotter opened his first Whoa & Go, Demaris was hired as manager and she had found her calling. She was the queen of selling the latest candy on the market and she always said “If they’re not selling for 50 cents, mark them 2 for $1.00 and they’ll sell like hotcakes”. She was right. She enjoyed shooting the breeze with all the guys at morning coffee and some of those guys would remain her friends for life. Demaris retired on Oct. 1, 2009.

Due to the demands of their careers, Al and Demaris did not take long vacations, but took endless “let’s see where this road goes” day trips, always returning to the farm with hilarious stories, laughter and most importantly, memories. Demaris enjoyed crocheting, playing pinochle, baking, a good household auction, and listening to her Waylon Jennings. She was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan and she could not be bothered on Sunday afternoons if “My Man Patrick” was playing. One of the greatest joys in her life came from time spent with Cinch, Riggin and Emma Heikel. She always enjoyed their visits and would talk nonstop about their escapades.

Demaris was a past member of the Kitchen Brigade Extension Club, Ladies Pinochle, Gathering Place Board and Lee Park Cemetery Association.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Al Schmidt of Arcadia; daughter Shelley and her husband, Dennis Heikel of Farwell; and her bonus family, Lance, Marti, Cinch, Riggin and Emma Heikel of Pleasanton; also surviving are her sister-in-law, Arlene Franzen of Broken Bow and Dennis’ other children, Rich and Julie Gappa of Kearney, Tanya and Curt Munson, Sloan and Bill Anderson, and Lindsay and Chad Murdock, and their families, all of Omaha; as well as, Al’s nieces and nephews and many lifelong friends.

Demaris was preceded in death by her parents; and by her son, Todd, in 1993.