Vlesta Schmidt

Vlesta T. (Anderson) Schmidt was born February 3, 1928 at Colome, SD, to Ander Edward and Veda (Elshire) Anderson. Vlesta grew up in Burke, SD and attended school in Burke. She was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Burke, SD.

After graduating, Vlesta worked at Ogden Arsenal in Ogden, Utah where she lived with her sister Gladus.

She was united in marriage to Fred Henry Schmidt on September 18, 1946. They lived south of Dallas, SD on Goldie Sikes place. They were blessed with a baby girl, Kathleen K, on September 28, 1949, at this time they were living in Burke. Later they moved to the Frank Kucera farm south of Buches in Gregory.

Vlesta worked for Edie Lorie Shop, Clara Belle Pavlis Shop, and also for Merna Schrader quilt shop. On the farm south of Gregory, she had her own shop where she did upholstery work for many people. She got a job at the Gregory Grade School kitchen and then later at the Gregory High School kitchen. She loved baking and cooking there for many years. Still to this day her daughter, Kathy, has some of the kids ask for the stromboli recipe, it was their favorite.

In 1985 Fred and Vlesta moved in to Gregory and sold the farm. At her home in Gregory Vlesta started making quilts and finished nearly 100 quilts.

Vlesta and Fred were happy to help raise their grandchildren - great and great great. Their hearts were overjoyed in helping raise Michael, Paige, and Ryan while their mother Lorie was going to college. Then another joy came to them when they got to help with Triston while his mother Rose went to college. Michael, Ryan, and Triston were the boys they never got to have.

Vlesta resided in her home and at her daughter's home. She enjoyed the kitties at her daughters house while she stayed there from time to time. Vlesta passed away in the Gregory Hospital on November 9, 2025, at the age of 97 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband Fred, son-in-law Melvin Matucha, and grandson Jesse Matucha.

She leaves behind her daughter Kathy Matucha, three grandchildren: Lorie (John Stevens), Glorie, and Lee; great grandchildren: Michael Stevicks, Paige Raschke, Ryan Raschke (wife Ashley), Rose Wolf (husband JJ), Zach Albers, Thomas Albers, Keva Kreeger (husband Miles), and Dustin Matucha; great great grandchildren Ofielia, Madison, Wesley, Triston, Treydon, Trenton, Charlytte, Sterling, and Lindy.

Funeral services for Vlesta Schmidt, age 97, of Gregory, SD, will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 10:30 AM at First Southern Baptist, Gregory, SD. Burial to follow at the IOOF Cemetery. A prayer service will be held at the church on Friday November 14, 2025 at 7 PM. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the prayer service.