Mildred L. Ernst was born in Humboldt, Iowa to Charles and Hannah (Sandvig) Ernst. She attended the Iowa Methodist School of Nursing at Drake University and became a registered nurse in 1956. She worked in several nursing specialties for over 40 years. Including emergency department, internal medicine, pediatrics, oncology, and urgent care.

She married Harold Schmidt on November 28, 1958 to this union were born a son and a daughter. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Harold, in 2010. She married Virgil G. Harper in December 2015. She was known for her gifts of Red Velvet Birthday cakes her warm smile and unwavering optimism.

Grateful for sharing her life are her husband, Virgil Harper; son, Jim Schmidt (Susan Neitzert), Aurora, CO; daughter, Mary Beth Schmidt, Denver, CO; grandson, Ian (Charlie) Schmidt, Colorado Springs, CO;, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents; her first husband, Harold; her sisters, Esther Hauck, Blanche Wallis, Lillian Christiansen; and brother, Carroll “Curley” Ernst; and a grandson, Aaron J. Schmidt.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Greeley, on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 12 noon with a reception to follow. Graveside services will be held at Linn Grove Cemetery, Greeley, CO.  Memorials may be made to the Weld County Humane Society.