Jere J. Schmedding

Jere Jo Schmedding, 80, of Walthill, NE passed away on Friday, September 9, 2022, at 12 Clans Hospital in Winnebago, NE. The visitation will be on Monday, September 12, 2022, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Walthill, with a wake service starting at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with Father Mark Beran as Celebrant. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Walthill.  Memorials are suggested to the family for future designation.  Arrangements are under the direction of Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Pender.  

Jere Jo Copenhaver was born on May 19, 1942, in Lincoln, NE to Ralph and Madeline (Bruce) Copenhaver.  She was baptized in the Methodist faith.  Jere attended and graduated from Walthill High School in 1960.  After graduation, she attended a secretary program where she learned to write shorthand.  In 1962, Jere married her first husband, Stanley Maslonka and she entered the Catholic faith.  Jere was a stay-at-home mom while the children were growing up, when the kids started school, she started helping at Head Start Preschool.  She was also very active with the farming operation.  She also worked at Campbell’s Manufacturing and for the Center of Rural Affairs for many years until Stanley passed away.  After Stanley’s passing, Jere married Robert Waggoner.  Together, Jere and Robert purchased and operated Waggoner’s Drive-In Restaurant. She enjoyed cooking and operating the restaurant until Robert’s passing.  On February 14, 1996, Jere married Larry Schmedding in Elk Point, SD. 

Jere was a very loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She enjoyed spending time with her family and cooking for everyone.  In her free time, she tended to her flowers and gardens.  She also, served as the church organist for several years. 

Jere is survived by her husband, Larry Schmedding of Walthill; daughter, Angela (Lee) Smith of Lyons; sons, Lee Joseph Maslonka of Walthill, Matthew (Dawn) Maslonka of Emerson; 9 grandchildren, Elley Smith (Veronica Waddell), Jesse Smith (Elise Weaver), Mitchell (Amanda) Smith, Benjamin Smith (Coral Pietryga), StanLee Maslonka, Cody Maslonka (Bailli Meins), Jacob Maslonka, Jericho (Jasmin) Maslonka, Megan Maslonka; 2 great-grandchildren, Lizzie and Luke; sister, Kay (Jack) Grosvenor of Paullina, IA; sister-in-law, Marge Copenhaver of New Hope, PA.

Jere is preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Stanley Maslonka, and Robert Waggoner; brother, Tom Copenhaver.