Carol Schmidt

Carol Bethene Schmidt was born Oct. 25, 1931, in Merna, Nebraska, to George William Hircock and Vera Ardis (Horne) Hircock. She died April 16, 2017.
    She graduated from Broken Bow High School in 1949, where she enjoyed playing the clarinet in the school’s band.
    She married Merle Schmidt  Sept. 12, 1963, in Amherst. They resided in Holyoke, and together they raised Carol’s four children from a previous marriage: Michael, Terry, Dan and Susan Gracey.
    Merle and Carol farmed together, with Carol often operating the combine during wheat harvest, arriving home for supper covered in dust from driving in the open cab. They worked hard but enjoyed their time together in the field.
    Carol also had a thriving business as a Mary Kay consultant for over 20 years from 1985-2006. She had a fully stocked office of cosmetics, affectionately termed “the Mary Kay room” by her family. She hosted many facials and Mary Kay open house events over the years and generously gifted specially selected pallets of the latest colors to her daughter, granddaughter, sister-in-law and niece each Christmas.
    Carol loved being in the outdoors. Whether it was out on the golf course, fishing her favorite spot at Stalker Lake near Wray, or tending the vegetables and various flowers in her garden, she always sported a sun-kissed glow from her time in the sunshine.
    A favorite memory of hers that her family loved for her to share was the time she and her high school friends skipped out on a Job’s Daughters state meeting. They found out Tommy Dorsey and his band were playing at a pavilion in Omaha and went dancing under the stars. What a night they had! Ultimately they were kicked out of Job’s Daughters for missing the meeting, but she always said it was worth it.
    Carol is survived by her son, Michael Gracey of Holyoke; daughter, Susan Davidson of Union City, California; brother, Don Hircock of Austin; grandson, Craig Gracey of Ozark, Missouri; grandson, Bret Gracey of Massachusetts; grandson, Aaron Gracey of Lawrence, Kansas; granddaughter, Dacia Carruthers of San Ramon, California; grandson, Kelly Gracey of Horton, Kansas; granddaughter, Jennifer Mcalexander of Effingham, Kansas; and grandson, Dustin Davidson of Fort Worth, Texas.
    She was preceded in death by infant granddaughters, Stephani and Tiffani Carruthers; son, Dan Gracey; son, Terry Gracey; grandson, Curt Gracey; father, George Hircock; mother, Ardis Hircock; and brother, Bill Hircock.
    The funeral service was held April 20 at Zion Lutheran Church in Holyoke. Interment followed at the Holyoke Cemetery.
    Memorial contributions may be made to The Gracey Memorial Athletic Scholarship, 435 S. Morlan Ave., Holyoke, CO 80734; or Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.
    Baucke Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.