Obituary for Eleanor Schmidt, Hoven, Mother of Durran Schmidt, Men's SP Deputy Aberdeen

Eleanor Schmidt, 85, Hoven, SD, was called to be with Jesus on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor, Aberdeen. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Hoven, with Rev.  J. Joseph Holzhauser, Celebrant. Interment follows at the Church Cemetery. The organist will be Alice Simon, and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Choir will sing "Prayer of St. Francis”, “Blest are They”, On This Day O Beautiful Mother”, “Song of Farewell”, and “How Great Thou Art”. Offertory gift bearers will be her children—Bruce, Wayne, Lynette, and Durran. Lector will be Andy Rausch and Mass Server will be DaShawn Rausch. Eleanor’s sister, Charlyn, will lead the Rosary at the Wake service and be the Eucharistic Minister for the Mass. 

The wake service is scheduled for 5:00 PM Monday with visitation beginning 4:00 PM. 

Eleanor LaVonne Rausch, daughter of Alice (Meskel) and William Rausch, was born May 19, 1938, at Bowdle. She was brought up on the Rausch farm west of Hoven. Her formal education consisted of St. Anthony’s Parochial School, Hoven High School (Class of 1956), and Presentation College in Aberdeen where she earned a nursing degree in 1959. Eleanor married Lawrence (Lefty) Schmidt on September 7, 1959, at St. Anthony’s Church in Hoven. Eleanor began her nursing career in 1959 at Holy Infant Hospital in Hoven. She also was Lefty’s right hand at the family business, Lefty’s Meat Market, where she did whatever needed to be done from 1961-1999. Eleanor’s nursing career ended in 2006 when she suffered a debilitating stroke. She then went from a caregiver to one needing care. Her family expresses great appreciation to all her caregivers who helped her physically, medically, emotionally, and spiritually. Eleanor was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Prayer Group, Altar Society, Bridge Group, and Birthday Club. Due to the death of her brother, Eugene, while serving in Korea, Eleanor was also part of a Golden Star family. Eleanor loved to love people. She was a dedicated wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. She treasured her family and embraced every moment with them. She was adored by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She instilled strength and perseverance by the way she lived her life. Her life was a living example of giving: giving of her talents, giving of her hospitality, giving of love and compassion, and giving of her praise and confidence. 

Eleanor is survived by four children—Bruce (Julie) Schmidt of Centennial, WY, Wayne (Jody) Schmidt of Glenham, SD,  Lynette (Branch) Wolf of Pierre, SD, and Durran Schmidt of Aberdeen; five siblings—Renee Ihle of Columbus, Ohio, Vern Rausch, Darrel Rausch, and Jerry Rausch all of Hoven, and Charlyn Nickolas of Pierre; seven in-laws—Ruby Rausch, Bill Schmidt, Sue Schmidt, John Nickolas, Sharon Rausch, Mary Rausch, and Vicki Rausch; 10 grandchildren--Melaney (Shawn) Hegner, Lindsy (Josh) Jeanneret, Alyssa (Ciaran Riley) Schmidt, Travis (Jennifer) Schmidt, Meghan (Ryan) Weigel, Kelsey (Brett) Riggs, Tanner (Abbie) Wolf, Taryn (Matt) Blaseg, Sean (Amanda) Schmidt, and Hayley Schmidt; and 16 great-grandchildren—Wren and Pierce Hegner; Evelynn and Vera Jeanneret; Aubrey and Ashlyn Schmidt: Ben, Drew, and Chloe Weigel; Kellen, Max, and Lucas Riggs; Harper Wolf; Natalie Blaseg; Hadley Schmidt, and baby Schmidt to arrive in February.  She also leaves behind numerous God children and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lefty, on November 2, 2008; her father, William; her mother, Alice; Stepmother, Evelyn Rausch; Father-in-law, Lawrence Schmidt; Mother-in-law, Agnes Schmidt; four brothers—Eugene Rausch, Virgil Rausch, Duane Rausch, and Harlan Rausch; and in-laws—Luther Ihle and Janice Rausch.

Honorary bearers will be Eleanor’s former caregivers—Ruby Rausch, Shelley Simon, Jolynn Hawkinson, Chris Ramirez, and Marcia Beaner as well as the staff at Mother Joseph Manor. 

Casketbearers will be grandchildren—Melaney, Lindsy, Travis, Meghan, Kelsey, Alyssa, Tanner, Sean, Taryn, Hayley, and nephew Ryan Schmidt. 

Eleanor’s funeral will be livestreamed at the Lien Family Funeral Care Facebook page. 

Services are in the care of Lien Funeral Home, Bowdle.