July 24, 1922 – April 12, 2021
Linus Eldene Schmidtberger, 98, born July 24, 1922, passed away at his home on April 12, 2021 of natural causes. He was born on a farm near Gorham, Kansas. Linus was schooled in a one-room schoolhouse where one teacher taught all eight grades. After finishing 8th grade, he could not attend high school as it was too far and he was needed to work the farm.
When the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Linus and his older brother, Al, joined the Navy. He spent boot camp and Gunners’ Mate school in San Diego, California starting in January 1942. Linus became a Gunners’ Mate aboard a ship patrolling off the Aleutian Islands off Alaska. He served there until VE day. Linus’ duty moved to the Pacific transporting troops the invasion of Japan. When the U.S. dropped the Atomic bombs, his ship was one of the first into Nagasaki Bay after the event. After VJ day, he was discharged in 1945.
Returning home in Kansas, he soon met the love of his life, Irene Eulert, marrying her in 1947. They raised a family of four in Corpus Christi, Texas and were married for 73 years before Irene’s passing in February 2020 at age 93.
Linus was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mary (Mermis) Schmidtberger, all his siblings: Brothers, Ed, Herman, Al; and, Sisters, Marcella Hazelhorst and Renatta Witt all of Kansas. His oldest son, Eldene, pre-deceased both his parents, Linus and Irene.
He is survived by son, Alan Schmidtberger and wife, Evie (Walley) of Seguin, Texas; son, Bryan Schmidtberger and husband, R. Shane Churchwell of San Antonio, Texas; daughter, long-time caregiver, Barbara Bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas. Linus’ four grandchildren are Wendy (Audie) Nichols of Temple, Texas; Keith (Liz) Schmidtberger of Lockhart, Texas; Krista (Joseph) Hierholzer of Universal City, Texas and LeAnn Bishop of Corpus Christi, Texas. Linus is the proud great-grandfather of nine. Wendy and first husband, Warren Bouteller are parents of Derek and Leah Bouteller. Keith and Liz have five kids: Noah, Brody, Sawyer, Hudson and Rachel. Krista and Joseph Hierholzer are parents of Kurt and Elise.
The Schmidtberger and Eulert clan number many cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews across mainly Texas and Kansas where both family trees homesteaded as wheat farmers and cattle ranching as part of an historical immigration in the mid 1800’s known as Volga German-Americans. He always liked his neighbors and life-long friends.
Linus worked as a Carpenter in Corpus Christi, eventually becoming a Construction Superintendent after steadily rising through the ranks. He earned his Certification in 1981 and was life-long member of Carpenter’s Local 22. Linus’ interests included vintage cars and trucks, sail fishing, and hobby woodworking. He and wife, Irene, loved Country Music. Linus’ idol was Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys who they saw in person several times. Linus played fiddle, guitar and sang in local Western bands in the late 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. The family remembers Dad getting out his fiddle on some Sunday mornings to play “Orange Blossom Special, “Cotton Eyed Joe,” “Turkey in the Straw,” “Fraulein,” and other favorites he learned to play by ear from his father, Frank.
Many remember the beautiful lawn and garden he and Irene kept on Franklin Drive in the circle. They had an orange tree that produced crops of 500 oranges in a good year. Family and neighbors benefitted from the Christmas time harvest of some of the sweetest oranges you will ever eat.
Linus and his wife, Irene, and family owe a deep debt of gratitude for devoted years of home health and hospice care provided by AADI and Visiting Angels, especially nurses, Christy Morales, Marissa West and especially caregiver, Gabi Munez. His daughter, Barbara, and her daughter, LeAnn Bishop have been literal lifelines for nearly ten years of care and love for Dad, Linus and Mom, Irene. They all went beyond the call of duty to help fulfill Dad’s wish of staying at home until the end.
He was a long-term member of Christ The King Catholic Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was also a proud member of VFW Post 6240.
Linus’ life will be honored at a Graveside Ceremony on Friday, April 23 at 10:00 a.m. at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Corpus Christi, Texas where he will join wife, Irene.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Linus Schmidtberger’s name to VFW Post 6240 in Russell, Kansas.
Friends and family can listen to Linus tell some of his WWII life and stories on Voices of Veterans episode December 3, 2014 @ voicesofveterans.org.
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