Bibs Schmillen

December 2, 1928 — September 30, 2015

Bibiana 'Bibs', the 11th of 13 children born to Vincent and Julia (Pekarek) Vanis, was born on a farm near Ulysses, NE on December 2, 1928. She attended country school in grades K-8, and graduated from High School in David City, NE. She attended Nebraska University School of Nursing in Omaha, NE, and worked as Head Nurse there. She married Bill Schmillen at St. Mary's Church in David City on April 14, 1951. They made their home in Cherokee, IA. Bibs worked as a floor nurse at Sioux Valley Hospital in Cherokee until the birth of her first child, at which time she made the decision to be a full-time mother and homemaker. She went on to raise 7 children. She was an active member of the I.C. Church, joyfully volunteering her time in countless capacities, including secretary for the CCD Program for many years, and as a member of the Ladies Guild, the Catholic Daughters and Bible Study groups. Bibs loved being with her family and friends, and especially looked forward to the annual family reunion. She enjoyed cooking, crossword puzzles, reading, gardening, and embroidery work. Following a brief illness, Bibs passed away at the Cherokee Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, September 30, 2015, at the age of 86. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, her parents, five sisters and six brothers. Survivors include one brother, Fritz (Fred) Vanis of Seward, NE; her children: Jane (Dennis) Guletz of Breckenridge, CO, Jack (Coleen) Schmillen of Iowa City, IA, Bob (Cheryl) Schmillen of Granite Falls, MN, Joe Schmillen of Cherokee, Julie (Dan) Martin of Madison, WI, Dave (Georgann) Schmillen of Okoboji, IA, and Andy (Dana) Schmillen of Omaha, NE; 15 grandchildren: Matthew, David, Maribeth, BaiZhu, Aaron (Sarah), Allison (Grant), Derek, Jackie, Andrew (Mari), Cristina, Breanna, Betsey, Anna, Drew and John; 2 great-grandchildren, Noah and Owen; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. It was Bibs' desire that memorials be directed to the CCD Faith Formation Program at I.C. Church.

SERVICES

10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015 Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Cherokee.

OFFICIATING

Father Dan Guenther

CASKET BEARERS

Jack Schmillen Bob Schmillen Joe Schmillen Dave Schmillen Andy Schmillen Dan Martin Denny Guletz

VISITATION

3:00 until 7:00 p.m., Friday, Oct. 2, 2015 at Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee. The Catholic Daughters will conduct a rosary at the funeral home at 4:00 p.m. The family will be present from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., and a prayer service will follow the visitation at 7:00 p.m.

MUSIC

Organist-Charlotte Groves Soloist-Jackie Schmillen I.C. Funeral Choir

INTERMENT

Mt. Calvary Cemtery,Cherokee

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