Robert L. Schmidtberger

Monday
Jan 8, 2018 at 8:07 AM

Robert L. Schmidtberger, 90, Victoria, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, at his home.

He was born Oct. 8, 1927, north of Gorham to John F. and Albina (Frank) Schmidtberger. He grew up in the Gorham area and was a graduate of Gorham High School.

He married Marie A. Bollig on Oct. 17, 1949, in Victoria. She preceded him in death Sept. 20, 2017. He was an oil field pumper for Dreiling Oil Co. for 35 years and was a farmer. He was drafted into the Army but never was called to service. He and his brother Lewis started Schmidtberger Construction Co. He lived in Gorham, Buckeye and Hays, before moving to Victoria in 1950. After his retirement, he was a contract pumper for a number of years.

He a member of the Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, and was a church usher for more than 50 years. He was a member of the Gorham State Bank board, and served 12 years on the USD 432 school board. He was inducted into the Fair Board Hall of Fame at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. He and his wife started the Victoria Vikings 4-H Club and were club leaders for 18 years. He served on the Ellis County Fair Board for 20 years and was active with Ellis County 4-H. He also helped in the construction and design of the current Ellis County Fairgrounds.

Survivors include six sons, Jerry Schmidtberger, Leroy Schmidtberger and wife, LeeAnn, Wayne Schmidtberger, Ron Schmidtberger and wife, Kim, all of Victoria, Gary Schmidtberger and wife, Wanda, Hays, and Pat Schmidtberger, Wichita; a daughter, Judy Rupp and husband, Rick, Victoria; a brother, Paul Schmidtberger and wife, Vera, Great Bend; a sister, Lila Jean Bollig, Hays; 15 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lewis Schmidtberger and wife, Armella, and Elmer Schmidtberger and wives, Jean, Norma and Velma; a brother-in-law, Edwin Bollig; a sister-in-law, Theresa Bollig; two nephews, Raymond Schmidtberger and Steven Schmidtberger; a daughter-in-law, Louise Schmidtberger; a great-great-grandson, Jonah Schmidtberger; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Anthony and Euphrosina (Hoffman) Bollig.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria; burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, both at the basilica.

A vigil service/rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Basilica.

Memorials are suggested to NBP’s Cozy Caregivers.

Cline's-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main, Victoria, KS 67671, is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via email to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net.

Monday
Jan 8, 2018 at 8:07 AM

Robert L. Schmidtberger, 90, Victoria, died Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, at his home.

He was born Oct. 8, 1927, north of Gorham to John F. and Albina (Frank) Schmidtberger. He grew up in the Gorham area and was a graduate of Gorham High School.

He married Marie A. Bollig on Oct. 17, 1949, in Victoria. She preceded him in death Sept. 20, 2017. He was an oil field pumper for Dreiling Oil Co. for 35 years and was a farmer. He was drafted into the Army but never was called to service. He and his brother Lewis started Schmidtberger Construction Co. He lived in Gorham, Buckeye and Hays, before moving to Victoria in 1950. After his retirement, he was a contract pumper for a number of years.

He a member of the Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria, and was a church usher for more than 50 years. He was a member of the Gorham State Bank board, and served 12 years on the USD 432 school board. He was inducted into the Fair Board Hall of Fame at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson. He and his wife started the Victoria Vikings 4-H Club and were club leaders for 18 years. He served on the Ellis County Fair Board for 20 years and was active with Ellis County 4-H. He also helped in the construction and design of the current Ellis County Fairgrounds.

Survivors include six sons, Jerry Schmidtberger, Leroy Schmidtberger and wife, LeeAnn, Wayne Schmidtberger, Ron Schmidtberger and wife, Kim, all of Victoria, Gary Schmidtberger and wife, Wanda, Hays, and Pat Schmidtberger, Wichita; a daughter, Judy Rupp and husband, Rick, Victoria; a brother, Paul Schmidtberger and wife, Vera, Great Bend; a sister, Lila Jean Bollig, Hays; 15 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Lewis Schmidtberger and wife, Armella, and Elmer Schmidtberger and wives, Jean, Norma and Velma; a brother-in-law, Edwin Bollig; a sister-in-law, Theresa Bollig; two nephews, Raymond Schmidtberger and Steven Schmidtberger; a daughter-in-law, Louise Schmidtberger; a great-great-grandson, Jonah Schmidtberger; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Anthony and Euphrosina (Hoffman) Bollig.

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Basilica of St. Fidelis, Victoria; burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday, both at the basilica.

A vigil service/rosary will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Basilica.

Memorials are suggested to NBP’s Cozy Caregivers.

Cline's-Keithley Mortuary, 412 Main, Victoria, KS 67671, is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences can be left by guestbook at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or can be sent via email to clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net.