12/12/2025
Erika Danielle Schmidt, 52, of North Platte, NE, passed away on December 11, 2025 after a brief illness. In her always generous manner, her final act was to be an organ donor to help save numerous lives.
Born July 30, 1973 in North Platte to Jeffrie Schmidt and Carolyn (Webb) Anderson, Erika was an only child and became the first grandchild on both sides of the family. Erika attended St. Patrick’s High School and graduated in 1992.
Erika completed the Travel and Tourism program at the Lincoln School of Commerce in 1993, and then began her job with Oceania Cruises in Omaha, NE. She later held administrative positions with the Archdiocese of Omaha and Merck Animal Science. Erika spent countless hours volunteering for the Bethlehem House and Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA). She was also heavily involved in the Monastery of the Poor Claires and the Omaha Santa Lucia Festival.
In 2021, Erika reconnected with an old schoolmate and found the love of her life in Kevin McGahan. Not only did she love Kevin, she cherished his four kids. Kevin brought Erika back to North Platte and the two engaged in a four-year adventure made for the movies. They put an endless number of miles on the pickup; driving to see baseball games, concerts, nearby family, and traveling wherever the wind blew them. Kevin even took Erika to Ohio to see the house from A Christmas Story, one of Erika’s favorite movies. She cherished her official Red Ryder BB gun (she didn’t shoot her eye out!) and leg lamp from the movie. She spent the past three years as an administrative assistant at North Platte Community College and was chairperson of the Mid-Plains Rodeo Team. She was a member of the Chamber Hostesses and active with many other civic endeavors.
Erika brought endless sparkle and s***k to everyone she interacted with. She was a pro at meeting new people, and everyone she met quickly became a friend. She loved chasing sunsets, staring at the moon, a fresh manicure, fluffy cows, a good cigar, a quality glass of bourbon, a nice rare steak, and visiting often with her family and friends. Although her life was too short, her impact was big. She left a legacy that the rest of us can only hope to live up to.
She is survived by her partner, Kevin McGahan; his four children, Nathan (Maiya) McGahan, Sydney (Colin) Wood, Ainsley McGahan, and Dawson McGahan; their cat, Fluff; her mother and stepfather, Carolyn and Ken Anderson of Marshalltown, IA; step brother, Dustin (Maia) Anderson of Laramie, WY; step sister, Nicole (Rich) Isaacson of Marshalltown, IA; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her father, Jeffrie Schmidt; uncles, Dan Schmidt, Kevin Schmidt, and Dave Schmidt; aunt, Mary Jo McConnell.
Memorials are suggested to the family in Erika’s name for later designation. Online condolences may be shared at www.adamsswanson.com.
Those wishing to sign the register book may do so 9:00-5:00 on Thursday, December 18, 2025 at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home and Rosary will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church at 7:00 P.M., on Thursday, December 18, 2025. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 A.M., Friday, December 19, 2025 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Boots, jeans, and big belt buckles are welcome at the service. Adams & Swanson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.