Armella M. Schmidt, 94, Hays, died Sunday, December 20, 2020 at her daughter’s home in Hays surrounded by her family.
She was born July 4, 1926 on the family farm in Vincent the daughter of Henry M. and Catherine E. (Dechant) Huser. She graduated from Victoria High School in 1946 and received certification in nutrition and health. Armella worked in the pet department at Woolworths and was a cook at Alafern Nursing Home in Russell, Gorham Schools, and at Cedar View Assisted Living, retiring at the age of 83. On November 23, 1948 she was united in marriage to Severin Riedel, and they celebrated nearly 31 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on October 15, 1979. She married Roy Nuss on June 5, 1982, and he preceded her in death. On July 3, 2000 she was united in marriage to Marcellus V. Schmidt, and they celebrated 13 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on February 24, 2014. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, American Legion Auxiliary #173, and a former member of the Hays VFW Auxiliary. Armella loved her home and family, enjoyed reading, cooking and baking, and was a strong, faith-filled Catholic woman. She had a huge capacity to love and always appreciated the help of others. Her friends and family always looked forward to 3:00 coffee and snacks at Armella’s, her cinnamon rolls, and Thanksgiving dinners, which she helped cook even at age 91.
Survivors include two sons: Mark Riedel and wife Miechel’le of Whispering Pines, NC and Patrick Riedel and wife Diana of Russell, a daughter: Melesia Roberts and husband Daniel of Hays, two step-sons: Francis F. Schmidt and wife Miko of Mulvane and Marcellus E. Schmidt and wife Mary of Plainfield, IN, two step-daughters: JoAnn Braun and husband Leroy of Victoria, and Benita Quimby and husband Dean of Derby, a brother: Leon Huser of Vincent, three sisters: Stella Braun and Arlene Wittman and husband Warren, all of Victoria, and Henrietta Herl of Salina, two sisters-in-law: Norma Huser of Vincent and Lucille Knoll of Hays, eight grandchildren: Landon Kuhn and wife Gina, Katie Leikam and husband William, Kara Burkholder and husband Jarod, Severin Riedel, Dominic Riedel, Tyler Riedel, Casey Maguire and Morgan Galbicek, and Jarrod Riedel, five great grandchildren: Riley, Dax, Cruz, Wrenlee, and Ronan, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, four brothers: Gregory, Earl, Julian G. and Julian R. Huser, four sisters: Lenora F. Thomas, Maxiline Kisner, Mary Huser, and Katherine Mermis.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays with Fr. Brian Lager officiating. Burial will follow at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Walker. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 am until service time on Tuesday at the Church. A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 pm on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Boniface Catholic Church. Condolences and memories of Armella may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com