Hilda O. Schmidt, Austin, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Nov. 30 in Wichita, Kan.

Hilda was born on Jan. 8, 1922, in New Effington, S.D., to William and Adeline Polnau. She married Erwin Schmidt on June 26, 1943, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Waltham, Minn. She worked for 43 years at Hormel Foods Corp., retiring in 1983.

Hilda was formerly an active member of St John’s Lutheran Church and a past member of the Ladies Aid, Circle 5. She was also a former member of the Golden Agers Club and enjoyed taking trips, cruises and dancing. She enjoyed cooking for her family and was best known for her fabulous chocolate cake. She loved tending to her home and flowers, and grandchildren and great-granchildren were very important and special to her.

Hilda is survived by her son, Doug (friend Christine Schwanke) of Rochester, Minn.; daughter, Michelle and husband David Webster of Wichita. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Jeremy (Leah) Dahlback of Prior Lake, Minn., and their children Lola and Max; Heidi Schreiber (William) of Charlotte, N.C., and their children, William Jr. and Carly; Lori Dunford (Tim) of Red Wing, Minn., and their children Olivia and Madison. She also had many friends at Regent Park Assisted Living in Wichita that we know will miss her.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Erwin; brothers, Eric, Edward, Albert, Walter and sister, Ida Krogstad. Also preceding her in death was her sister-in-law, Marie Fett, of Waltham.

Hilda has been accorded cremation, and a memorial service will be held at St John’s Lutheran Church in Austin on 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, with Pastor Thomas Ogilvie officiating. Internment will take place at a later date.

The funeral home is Downing and Lahey Mortuary of Wichita, KS.

Memorials may be sent to Michelle Webster, 838 N Glenmoor Drive, Wichita, KS 67206.

Blessed be her memory.