Janis K. Schmieding, of Utica, was born on Feb. 3, 1952, to Ralph and Helen (Svoboda) Hoelting in Hastings. She attended Lawrence High School graduating in 1970. She attended Grand Island School of Business. She worked at the telephone company after college for 6 years. On Aug. 9, 1975, Janis was united in marriage to Merle A. Schmieding at St. Stephens Catholic Church near Lawrence.

She worked as support staff for Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. In her free time, she enjoyed studying ancestry, reading and traveling. She especially enjoyed time with her grandchildren.

Janis d...