Maxine Evelyn Schmig

Maxine (Max) E. Schmig, 90, Mitchell, S.D. died peacefully at Avera Brady Health and Rehab on October 7, 2026. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at Will Funeral Chapel with burial at Servicemen’s Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at the Will Funeral Chapel.

Max was born to Leonard and Rose (Grandrath) Gerlach on January 16, 1936 in Mitchell. She grew up in Plankinton and attended school there. She met Joe Schmig while waitressing. They were united in marriage on August 11, 1954 in Mitchell. They were blessed with 4 children, 3 girls and 1 boy.

Joe and Max moved to a small farm northeast of Mitchell in the spring of 1961. Max always planted a big garden and loved canning all of her home grown produce. She also loved to bake. When the kids were growing up, Saturday morning was baking day. The smell of home baked bread, buns, cinnamon rolls and other goodies for the week, filled the house. She still mixed cookies from scratch for the grandkids and great grandkids.

Family was very important to Maxine. A birthday or anniversary was a good reason to have a get together with her brothers, sisters and their families. As everyone’s families grew and getting together happened less often, she started sending out cards. Her calendar was packed full of birthdays and anniversaries for family and friends and when it was your day, you could expect a card.

Max was a people person and very much enjoyed her years waitressing and bartending. She met many people and would always strike up a conversation with them to find out who they were, what they did and where they were from. Many people knew her from working at the Supper Club, The VFW, and The Legion.

Max is survived by her 4 children: Kathy (Doran) Raymond, Mitchell, SD, Marcy Ellensohn, Kyle TX, Patty (Pat) O’Connor and Bob Schmig, Alexandria, SD, grandchildren: T.J. (Jen), Chris, Joey, Dakota, Jeremy (Jena), and 7 great-grandchildren. Her siblings: Bernice Kollman, Larry Gerlach, Dale (Vicki) Gerlach, Plankinton, SD, Marlys Nelson, Mitchell, Brother-in-law, John (Pam) Van Gorp, Plankinton, SD, along with many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband Joe, in 1993, her parents-Leonard and Rose Gerlach, her parents-in-law August and Francis Schimg, 1 sister, 11 sister-in-laws, 11 brother-in-laws, several nieces and nephews.