Gertrude “Trudy” Schmieding passed on to her heavenly home on Saturday, July 26, 2025.
She was born March 25, 1928, to Julius and Elisabeth (Kamprath) Hoemann near Staplehurst, Nebraska. She was baptized at home on April 6, 1928, and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church (LCMS) on April 6, 1941.
Trudy graduated from Waco High School in 1945 and attended Lincoln General Nursing School. After graduation, she quickly became the Head Nurse of the OB-GYN and GI Surgical ward.
Trudy married Orville Schmieding on Jan.31, 1954. After several moves, as Orville pursued his Guidance and Counseling career, they settled in Brookings in 1965, where they raised their three children.
Trudy returned to nursing in 1972 as a Certified Human Sexuality Educator, where she was a pioneer in sexuality counseling for SDSU students until her retirement in 1990.
Trudy was deeply involved at Mount Calvary and Peace Lutheran Churches, serving in choir, Sunday School, LWML, and other various committees. She loved supporting SDSU athletics, music, and theater, and helped establish SDSU scholarships in Nursing, Counseling, and Athletics.
She will be remembered for her faith, generosity, graciousness, and beauty.
Trudy was preceded in death by her husband Orville, parents Julius and Elisabeth Hoemann, brother Willard Hoemann, brothers-in-law Wilbert Schmieding and Arthur Schmieding, and sisters-in-law Irene Hoemann, Verna Richert, Dolores Schmidt, and Norma Jean Schmieding.
She is survived by her children: Greg (Janet) Schmieding of Sioux Falls, SD; Becky Schmieding of Brookings, SD; and Teresa (Steve) Szymanski of Sauk Rapids, MN; grandchildren: Jackie (Jared) Graham, Rachel (Israel) Vidales, Ryan (Lindsay), Matthew (Katie), Justin, and Kaelyn Szymanski; and eight great-grandchildren: Cooper, Nora, August, Thorson, Quincy, Lucy, Everett, and one arriving in September; and sister-in-law Jan Schmieding.
Funeral services will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, 1104 22nd Ave S, Brookings, SD, on Monday, Aug. 4 at 1:30 p.m.
Visitation will be at Eidsness Funeral Home on Sunday, Aug. 3, from 3-5 p.m, in Brookings, SD.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Peace Lutheran Church and School or the SDSU Foundation for the Trudy and/or Orville Schmieding Scholarships in Nursing, Education, or Athletics, at South Dakota State University, or given online at www.sdstatefoundatiuon.org.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.eidsnessfuneralhome.com.
