1920
Francis
2016
Francis Schmidt
January 14, 1920 — July 5, 2016
Funeral mass for Francis R. Schmidt of Morris, MN will be held Saturday, July 9, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. Celebrant for the service will be Father Todd Schneider. Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:30 and a rosary to follow at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris. Visitation will resume one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday. Military rites will be provided by the Morris American Legion, V.F.W. and AmVets.
Francis "Fritz" Raymond Schmidt, son of Henry and Mary (Van Kempen) Schmidt, was born January 14, 1920 on the family farm east of Morris in Hodges Township. He was baptized and confirmed at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. Fritz attended country school and many years later received his GED. While growing up and following his schooling, he helped on the family farm. On April 26, 1942, he was drafted into the United States Air Force, serving during WWII as SGT in India and China. Fritz was honorably discharged on November 14, 1945. Following his discharge, he returned to the family farm. On June 5, 1946, he was united in marriage to Madelyn Daily at Assumption Catholic Church by Father Fearon. The couple continued to live on the family farm and eventually purchased it from Fritz's dad. Fritz and Madelyn retired from farming in 1982, but stayed on the farm until 2009 when they moved into Morris. Fritz enjoyed working on many projects in his garage and spending his retirement years with his wife of 70 years, Madelyn.
Fritz was a lifelong member of Assumption Catholic Church, V.F.W., Morris American Legion, Eagles and Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed hunting, reading National Geographic and anything about history and the wars and playing cards, especially Euchre. He also enjoyed building wooden butterflies and mailboxes. He was known for his signature corn wave and always having a good joke to tell.
Fritz died on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris. He lived to 96 years.
He is survived by his wife: Madelyn Schmidt of Morris; four sons: Ray (DiAnn) Schmidt of Arvada, CO, Steve Schmidt of Holland, MI, Ron (Michelle) Schmidt of Crosslake and Larry (Cathy) Schmidt of Lino Lakes; four daughters: Carol (Charles) Willard of Pearland, TX, Jan (John) Swanson of Inver Grove Heights, Linda (Jim) Bachman of South St. Paul and Dar (Mike) Schmidt-Eaton of Rosemount; two brothers: Henry (Lucille) Schmidt of Mesa, AZ and Gerald Schmidt of Morris; two sisters: Rose (Manley) Anderson of Morris and Margaret (Douglas) Garberick of El Cajon, CA; one sister-in-law: Beverley Schmidt of Morris; 21 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Eugene, Charles and Albert Schmidt and two sisters: Kathryn Sunquist and Helen Lyons.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
Francis "Fritz" Raymond Schmidt, son of Henry and Mary (Van Kempen) Schmidt, was born January 14, 1920 on the family farm east of Morris in Hodges Township. He was baptized and confirmed at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. Fritz attended country school and many years later received his GED. While growing up and following his schooling, he helped on the family farm. On April 26, 1942, he was drafted into the United States Air Force, serving during WWII as SGT in India and China. Fritz was honorably discharged on November 14, 1945. Following his discharge, he returned to the family farm. On June 5, 1946, he was united in marriage to Madelyn Daily at Assumption Catholic Church by Father Fearon. The couple continued to live on the family farm and eventually purchased it from Fritz's dad. Fritz and Madelyn retired from farming in 1982, but stayed on the farm until 2009 when they moved into Morris. Fritz enjoyed working on many projects in his garage and spending his retirement years with his wife of 70 years, Madelyn.
Fritz was a lifelong member of Assumption Catholic Church, V.F.W., Morris American Legion, Eagles and Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed hunting, reading National Geographic and anything about history and the wars and playing cards, especially Euchre. He also enjoyed building wooden butterflies and mailboxes. He was known for his signature corn wave and always having a good joke to tell.
Fritz died on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris. He lived to 96 years.
He is survived by his wife: Madelyn Schmidt of Morris; four sons: Ray (DiAnn) Schmidt of Arvada, CO, Steve Schmidt of Holland, MI, Ron (Michelle) Schmidt of Crosslake and Larry (Cathy) Schmidt of Lino Lakes; four daughters: Carol (Charles) Willard of Pearland, TX, Jan (John) Swanson of Inver Grove Heights, Linda (Jim) Bachman of South St. Paul and Dar (Mike) Schmidt-Eaton of Rosemount; two brothers: Henry (Lucille) Schmidt of Mesa, AZ and Gerald Schmidt of Morris; two sisters: Rose (Manley) Anderson of Morris and Margaret (Douglas) Garberick of El Cajon, CA; one sister-in-law: Beverley Schmidt of Morris; 21 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Eugene, Charles and Albert Schmidt and two sisters: Kathryn Sunquist and Helen Lyons.
Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
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