Ralph E. Schmidt, 98, Lincoln, died at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday (Jan. 9, 2013) at Christian Village, Lincoln.

Ralph was born June 28, 1914, in Lincoln, the son of Frederick W. and Clara L. Baker Schmidt. He married Viola Johnson on Jan. 10, 1946. She preceded him in death July 24, 2000. He then married Opal Van Pelt on June 15, 2002. She survives in Lincoln.

Ralph is also survived by his son, Floyd Frederick (Christine) Schmidt, Lincoln; one stepdaughter, Rea (David) Lovell, Shorewood; grandchildren, Tyler (Sarah) Schmidt; Heidi (Scott) Watson; and Abigail and Clara Schmidt; great-grandchildren, Tayler, Cohan and Ireland; and one brother, David Schmidt, Chicago.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Earl, Alvin and Les, and one sister, Ruth.

Ralph is retired from farming and teaching and being a tax practitioner. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, having served on the church council for 16 years. He was chairman of congregation in 1960 and laid cornerstone in 1963.

He served in the U.S. Army as an aviation engineer from 1942 to 1945. He was a member of Elks Lodge 914, Disabled American Veterans 95, American Legion Post 263, AmVets 71, 40 & 8 Brotherhood.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Lincoln, with the Rev. Thomas R. Kamprath officiating. Burial will be in New Union Cemetery, Lincoln, with full military rites accorded by Lincoln American Legion Post 263. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Memorials may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Lincoln. All services were entrusted to Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Lincoln.