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WAKITA - Funeral service for Nevaleen will be Monday, September 26, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Wakita United Methodist Church. Arrangements are by Lanman Funeral Home, Inc., of Medford. Viewing will be Sunday from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the funeral home. www.lanmanmemorials.com
Nevaleen was born on February 6, 1935, to Clifton Schmitz and Helen Gordon Schmitz in Enid and passed from this life on September 21, 2016, at her home in Wakita. She graduated from Lamont High School in 1952. Nevaleen went two years to NOC and received a Bachelor's Degree from Oklahoma A&M College in Vocational Home Economics in 1956. Her first teaching assignment was at Stroud. In 1960, Nevaleen returned to Oklahoma A&M to complete her Master's Degree.
She was an attendant at a friend's wedding and met the love of her life, Joseph Lee Selmat. On April 29, 1961, Lee and Nevaleen were married at the Lamont Christian Church, and they moved to Medford, where Lee engaged in farming. Nevaleen accepted a position at Covington. In 1962, they moved to Wakita, and Nevaleen taught vocational home economics at Wakita. In 1966, they built their home in Wakita, where they continued to reside. She was Grant County Teacher of the Year in 1981 and Oklahoma Home Economics Teacher of the Year in 1975. Nevaleen accepted a position as an Assistant Professor at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva. She then taught college at Chickasha and later was appointed the Department Head of Vocational Home Economics. Nevaleen obtained a Doctorate in Education from OSU.
Nevaleen was active and served in many capacities in many professional organizations, including Oklahoma Home Economics Association, Oklahoma Education Association and Retired Teachers Association. She also served as Chairman of Grant County Democrats. Nevaleen served on the Wakita School Board, and when they merged with Medford, she currently was serving on the Medford School Board.
Nevaleen was very active in the farming operation by driving wheat trucks, tractors and helping work with the cattle. She was recognized by "High Plains Journal" as being one of the outstanding women in agriculture. Nevaleen was active and served many positions in the Red Carpet Country organizations of Northwest Oklahoma.
Hobbies were an important outlet in her life. She established NJ's Trunk Shop in Wakita in 1974. She also had interests in music, flowers, decorating and going to craft fairs.
Lee and Nevaleen started in 2004 opening their home to a number of foreign exchange students, who held a special place in their hearts. Those who preceded Nevaleen in death include her husband, Lee; her parents, Helen and Clifton; and two cousins, Beryl Kindred and J.D. Unbehauen.
Survivors include many cousins, Deloris Boyer, Donald Webster, Fredamae Kretchmar, Norma Osborn, Cleo Max Schmitz, Shirley Kindred, Marjorie Unbehauen, Barbara Straka; sister-in-law, Lavona Baker; and numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces.
Memorials may be given to 1893 Land Run Historical Center through the funeral home.
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