Steven R Schmillen

Steven Ray Schmillen was born in LeMars, IA on March 29th, 1947 to parents Ray and Marian (Stowater) Schmillen. He grew up in Marcus, IA where he was active in football, track, fishing, hunting and helping on the family farm. He was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church. He attended Marcus Community Schools graduating in 1965. During his middle school years he met his future wife, Ina Irwin. Steven and Ina married on June 24th, 1967 at the Meadow Star Church in rural Washta, IA. He attended Ellsworth Junior College where he also played football. After two years he transferred to Westmar College and received degrees in Physical Education and Science in 1969. He also started his family with the birth of his first daughter, Michelle. He started a teaching career in Dunlap, IA that involved Physical Education and Science. He put his experience with sports to work by becoming a well respected coach in both football and track from 1969-1978. His compassion for helping others led him to work as a volunteer EMT with the Dunlap Fire and Rescue Unit. He was an active member in the Masons of Iowa, Logan, IA chapter. He could often be found hunting and fishing in the local hills and ponds of the surrounding areas. His family grew with the birth of daughters Sue, Cyndi, and Sherry. After a nine year teaching career, Steve took a job as an insurance agent/manager and moved to Elkhorn, NE in 1980 working with firms that included New York Life, INA, and CNA. In recent years, he kept himself busy with laser etching and woodworking. He continued his passion for the outdoors with many hunting and fishing trips to Canada and Alaska. He enjoyed frying his catch for his friends. This is where he perfected his recipes for both Eggs Benedict and Stromboli. They were the best and he would have told you so. At 8:00 every night you would find him at the computer playing international bridge. He truly enjoyed all of these hobbies, but most of all he enjoyed entertaining a captive audience with his “jokes” and storytelling. With a dream to fly, he obtained his pilot’s license and made many memorable trips with Ina, family and friends. Steve was a man of faith who was active at Bethany Lutheran Church. His faith and leadership grew stronger through the fellowship and bonding of the M.O.B. (Men of Bethany). He was an active member of The West Omaha Cosmopolitan Club. Steve is preceded in death by his daughter Sue Ann and father Raymond. He is survived by wife Ina; daughters and sons-in-law Michelle Clinton of Sarasota, FL, Cyndi and Josh Robirds of Lakewood, CO, Sherry and Jim Minge of Omaha, NE; grandchildren Cordell Schmillen, Nigel and Ava Clinton, Stella and Vivian Minge; Mother Marian Schmillen of Marcus, IA; brothers and sisters-in-law Mike and Gloria Schmillen of Spencer, IA and Kent and Kathy Schmillen of Cherokee, IA; and many nieces and nephews. Schmillen, Steven age 63 of Elkhorn, NE Preceded in death by his daughter Sue Ann and father Ray. Survived by wife Ina; daughters and sons-in-law Michelle Clinton of Sarasota, FL, Cyndi and Josh Robirds Lakewood, CO and Sherry and Jim Minge of Omaha; grandchildren Cordell, Nigel, Ava, Stella and Vivian. Mother Marian Schmillen of Marcus, IA; brothers and sisters-in-law Mike and Gloria of Spencer, IA and Kent and Kathy of Cherokee, IA. Visitation Friday 4 to 8 PM with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 at the funeral home. Funeral Saturday 10 AM at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkhorn. Interment Prospect Hill. Family would appreciate memorials to a College Trust Fund for Steve’s grandchildren. Condolences to www.reichmuthfuneralhomes.com Reichmuth Funeral Home 21901 W. Maple Rd. 402-289-2222

Steven R Schmillen

March 29, 1947 - November 22, 2010