Eileen Schmit
Eileen Anna Schmit, 86, Mitchell, formerly of Artesian, SD, passed away Saturday, November 28, 2020 at the Madison Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be Friday, December 4, at First Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Visitation will be on Thursday, December 3 from 4-7:00 pm with the family present from 5-7:00 pm at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Artesian, SD. Masks are required at the services.
The funeral service will be live-streamed.
Eileen Anna Spahn was born on July 13, 1934 in St. Louis to Harry and Irene Spahn. Eileen lost her father at the age of 2. Her mother married Lester Noell, and they moved to Canton, IL before settling in Artesian, SD. She worked in the family’s store, Noell’s Department Store, while going to school. She graduated from Artesian High School in 1952. On December 23, 1951, Eileen married the love of her life, Francis Schmit. They talked fondly about the times they spent at Ruskin Park. The couple lived in the Artesian area while Francis worked for an area farmer before buying and settling on their farm south of Artesian. They raised their family and resided there until they bought their home in Mitchell in 1984.
In her younger years, besides working at the store, she also worked for the Artesian Telephone Company. After raising her family, she worked as the Post Master Relief for the Artesian Post Office for 20 years. Eileen and Francis spent a lot of time with their family at the lake, and enjoyed dancing and playing cards with their many friends. She was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Artesian, involved in the First Lutheran Church of Mitchell, Women’s Circle, Town & Country Extension Club, Heartland Quilters Guild, Roadrunner Club, Red Hat Club, and Moose Lodge. Eileen enjoyed the many friendships she made throughout her years taking in many concerts, plays and events. She always loved traveling and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She could be seen in the stands at her grandchildren’s events supporting them whenever she could. Eileen moved to Countryside Living in 2019 where she loved the staff and fellow residents. She was a friend and companion to many.
Grateful for having shared her life are her children: Allen (Lynette), Kingwood,TX; Kevin (Rebecca), Sheridan, WY; Craig, Sheridan, WY; Terry (Chris), Gillette, WY; Tim, Mitchell, SD; and Robert (Brenda), Artesian, SD; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Wayne Weld, Wenatchee, WA; sister-in-law, Mabel Schmit, Winner, SD; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 2004, infant children David and Mary Ann, great-grandson Tomas, sister Nancy Weld, brothers Robert and Ronald Noell.