Bessie D. Schmielau

Age 91 –Bessie Delores Schmielau of Omaha, Nebraska passed away on February 29, 2024. She was born on December 31, 1932 to Clarence and Pearl Vanderpool in Florence, Nebraska. The youngest of eleven children, she was given the nickname “Punkie.” In 1939, the family moved to their farm near Underwood, Iowa. Bessie graduated from Underwood High School in 1950, and later attended Grace Bible Institute in Omaha for a short period of time. 

She married Harry Fritz Schmielau in December of 1954. They had three children; Guy, Gay, and Geryl, and settled in North Omaha. After Harry’s passing in January of 1988, Bessie acquired employment as a custodian at the Creighton School of Dentistry in Omaha, and continued working well into her seventies. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry; parents, Clarence & Pearl; siblings, Grace Ruckman, Lois Hansen, Gladys May, Clifford Vanderpool, Geneva Pickens, Agnes Mass, Madge Mass, Flossie Hansen, Darlene Cox, Barbara Scott; and great-grandson, Christian Miller. Bessie is survived by her children, Geryl (Diane) Schmielau, Gay (Bill) Miller, and Guy (Maureen) Schmielau; 11 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation: Tuesday (3/5/2024) 5:00 – 7:00 PM at mortuary. Funeral Service: Wednesday (3/6/2024) 11:00 AM at Roeder Mortuary, 4932 Ames Ave, Omaha, NE. Burial to follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - Ames Chapel - 4932 Ames Ave - Omaha, NE - 402-453-5600  www.RoederMortuary.com