LaDonna Vesta Schmidt, 74, of Scottsbluff passed away Saturday October 8, 2022, at Heritage Estates in Gering, Nebraska. Her memorial service will be held on Friday October 14, 2022, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, with Pastor Brett Vander Berg officiating. Services will be live-streamed on http://www.calvarylutheranscottsbluff.org/. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church. LaDonna is a past president of the Church Board and found great comfort and inspiration through many relationships established over many years. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.dugankramer.com.
LaDonna was born May 4, 1948, in Lusk, Wyoming to Vesta and Lee Thomas. She graduated from Niobrara County High School in Lusk and attended classes at Casper Community College. She married Randy Schmidt in July of 1967. Randy and LaDonna, along with their son Bryan, made their way to the University of Wyoming and then to Albuquerque, where their son Brandon was born.
The family settled in Scottsbluff in 1974, where LaDonna admirably filled the roles of mother, wife, and assistant to Randy as he established his accounting practice. LaDonna expanded into other professional roles, culminating in a 26 year long tenure at Platte Valley National Bank, eventually (mostly) retiring in 2014 .
LaDonna was a faithful sports fan, following her sons to their many events and cheering on the Huskers. Even after her sons left home and moved away from Scottsbluff she maintained a regular presence at Bearcat and Cougar activities, along with cheering on the Huskers.
LaDonna reveled in her role as grandmother to her 4 grandchildren and relished her time with them. She and Randy enjoyed gatherings of the entire family, but particularly enjoyed their time alone with the grandchildren on annual weeklong excursions to the Black Hills and Yellowstone.
LaDonna continued to help at Platte Valley National Bank in various capacities following her ‘retirement’, but turned her attention toward her many outside activities, including travel with Randy and friends, motorcycle trips, multiple bridge groups, PEO, and Calvary Lutheran Church. Following Randy’s death in 2015, LaDonna enthusiastically transitioned from motorcycle passenger to rider and logged tens of thousands of miles traversing the country and building new friendships as she went.
Her wide-ranging activities and relationships only hint of the many circles of friends that enjoyed LaDonna’s company and the genuine compassion she held for her many friends.
LaDonna is survived by her children, grandchildren, brother, and many nieces, nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters.