Melvin John Schmidt, age 90, Willow Lake, died on Wednesday morning, January 13, 2010 in the Prairie Lakes Hospital at Watertown, surrounded by the company of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his Pastor during his last hours of his life on earth, after a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 2:30 PM in the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church (WELS) in Willow Lake with The Reverend Mark Guthmiller & Reverend Michael Enderle officiating. Music will be presented by Aris Schmidt as organist with Dan Schmidt as soloist. He will sing, The Old Rugged Cross. Grandchildren, Becky, Baily, Jaxon and Jake Schmidt will sing Beautiful Savior and the congregation will sing, Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art.
Honorary casketbearers will be his granddaughers, Angela Bochek, Jayme Gray, Molly Hanson, Rebecca Schmidt and Baily Schmidt. The active casketbearers will be grandsons of Melvins, Gregory Bochek, Spencer Hanson, Clayton Hanson, Christopher Bochek, Jaxon Schmidt and Jake Schmidt. Burial with full military honors provided by the Johnny Fonken American Legion Post of Willow Lake will follow in the Collins Cemetery at Willow Lake.
Visitation will be on Friday from 5-8 PM with a prayer service at 7PM all in the Church at Willow Lake. Visitation will continue at the Church after 1PM on Saturday.
Melvin was born in Hague Township, northwest of Willow Lake on January 25, 1919, the first-borne of eight children to Menno and Letha (Ackerman) Schmidt.
He was baptized and then confirmed by Pastor Palmer at The Hague Lutheran Church on August 7, 1932. In 1938 he graduated from Willow Lake High School and then attended SDSU for one year. Melvin was honorably discharged from the United States Army on January 8, 1942. Melvin began his career path as a partner in a trucking business with Matt Kruse.
On March 12, 1944 he was united in marriage to his soul-mate of almost 65 years, Edna Lucille Izzy Carter in the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church. The home Melvin was currently living in was their first and only home, they raised four children there. Their married life began with the purchase of a drug store on Willow Lakes Main Street and operated it as Schmidts Drugstore. In 1952, Melvin purchased the International Harvester dealership from RJ Hofer and Schmidt Implement began and active until selling it in 1977. During those years, Melvin was recognized several times as being the leading dealership in the nation for LP tractors. They also farmed and raised Registered Herefords at the home place, the place they called home for over 64 years. Melvin was active in farming until his death, in fact, getting off the combine on Christmas Eve day, the day the 2009 harvest was finished.
Melvin and Edna shared a lifetime of family and friends in this area. Many boating and skiing days were spent on area lakes. They have pictures and souvenirs of the numerous International Harvester trips that Melvin had won. They also spent 25 years of wintering in Donna, Texas while their sons Jim and Jack held down the fort. Melvin became an avid Willow Lake Pirate fan to fill his winter months. He was a fan of basketball games for many years and was especially proud of the girls team. On their 60th wedding anniversary a photo was taken of them at the Girls State B Tournament and was published in an area paper. Melvin was an avid reader. Many friends and neighbors reaped the bounty of his love for wood-working. He made, distributed and repaired the numerous windmills, ducks and sunflowers. He said that not one of any of the things he made were ever alike.
He was a member of the American Legion Johnny Fonken Post #113 in Willow Lake and an active member of the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church, serving as a council member and a church delegate on numerous occasions.
Preceding him in death were his parents, wife Edna Izzy on January 29, 2009, a son, Jim, great-grandson, Eithan Mark James Rasmussen and 5 siblings, LeRoy (Peggy), Leo, Harvey and Larry Schmidt and Grace Tomasich.
Grateful for having shared in his life are his children, Karen Bochek of Vienna, Jan Hanson of Watertown and Mervin Hanson of Browns Valley and Jack (Caryl) Schmidt of Willow Lake, 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and brothers, Menno H. Babe (Phyllis) Schmidt and Don (Helen) Schmidt all of Willow Lake. Also surviving is a daughter-in-law, Janet Schmidt of Lennox and a brother-in-law, John Tomasich of Bradenton, FL
Furness Funeral Home of Clark is serving the family where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 2:30 PM in the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church (WELS) in Willow Lake with The Reverend Mark Guthmiller & Reverend Michael Enderle officiating. Music will be presented by Aris Schmidt as organist with Dan Schmidt as soloist. He will sing, The Old Rugged Cross. Grandchildren, Becky, Baily, Jaxon and Jake Schmidt will sing Beautiful Savior and the congregation will sing, Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art.
Honorary casketbearers will be his granddaughers, Angela Bochek, Jayme Gray, Molly Hanson, Rebecca Schmidt and Baily Schmidt. The active casketbearers will be grandsons of Melvins, Gregory Bochek, Spencer Hanson, Clayton Hanson, Christopher Bochek, Jaxon Schmidt and Jake Schmidt. Burial with full military honors provided by the Johnny Fonken American Legion Post of Willow Lake will follow in the Collins Cemetery at Willow Lake.
Visitation will be on Friday from 5-8 PM with a prayer service at 7PM all in the Church at Willow Lake. Visitation will continue at the Church after 1PM on Saturday.
Melvin was born in Hague Township, northwest of Willow Lake on January 25, 1919, the first-borne of eight children to Menno and Letha (Ackerman) Schmidt.
He was baptized and then confirmed by Pastor Palmer at The Hague Lutheran Church on August 7, 1932. In 1938 he graduated from Willow Lake High School and then attended SDSU for one year. Melvin was honorably discharged from the United States Army on January 8, 1942. Melvin began his career path as a partner in a trucking business with Matt Kruse.
On March 12, 1944 he was united in marriage to his soul-mate of almost 65 years, Edna Lucille Izzy Carter in the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church. The home Melvin was currently living in was their first and only home, they raised four children there. Their married life began with the purchase of a drug store on Willow Lakes Main Street and operated it as Schmidts Drugstore. In 1952, Melvin purchased the International Harvester dealership from RJ Hofer and Schmidt Implement began and active until selling it in 1977. During those years, Melvin was recognized several times as being the leading dealership in the nation for LP tractors. They also farmed and raised Registered Herefords at the home place, the place they called home for over 64 years. Melvin was active in farming until his death, in fact, getting off the combine on Christmas Eve day, the day the 2009 harvest was finished.
Melvin and Edna shared a lifetime of family and friends in this area. Many boating and skiing days were spent on area lakes. They have pictures and souvenirs of the numerous International Harvester trips that Melvin had won. They also spent 25 years of wintering in Donna, Texas while their sons Jim and Jack held down the fort. Melvin became an avid Willow Lake Pirate fan to fill his winter months. He was a fan of basketball games for many years and was especially proud of the girls team. On their 60th wedding anniversary a photo was taken of them at the Girls State B Tournament and was published in an area paper. Melvin was an avid reader. Many friends and neighbors reaped the bounty of his love for wood-working. He made, distributed and repaired the numerous windmills, ducks and sunflowers. He said that not one of any of the things he made were ever alike.
He was a member of the American Legion Johnny Fonken Post #113 in Willow Lake and an active member of the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church, serving as a council member and a church delegate on numerous occasions.
Preceding him in death were his parents, wife Edna Izzy on January 29, 2009, a son, Jim, great-grandson, Eithan Mark James Rasmussen and 5 siblings, LeRoy (Peggy), Leo, Harvey and Larry Schmidt and Grace Tomasich.
Grateful for having shared in his life are his children, Karen Bochek of Vienna, Jan Hanson of Watertown and Mervin Hanson of Browns Valley and Jack (Caryl) Schmidt of Willow Lake, 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and brothers, Menno H. Babe (Phyllis) Schmidt and Don (Helen) Schmidt all of Willow Lake. Also surviving is a daughter-in-law, Janet Schmidt of Lennox and a brother-in-law, John Tomasich of Bradenton, FL
Furness Funeral Home of Clark is serving the family where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com.
Melvin John Schmidt, age 90, Willow Lake, died on Wednesday morning, January 13, 2010 in the Prairie Lakes Hospital at Watertown, surrounded by the company of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his Pastor during his last hours of his life on earth, after a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 2:30 PM in the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church (WELS) in Willow Lake with The Reverend Mark Guthmiller & Reverend Michael Enderle officiating. Music will be presented by Aris Schmidt as organist with Dan Schmidt as soloist. He will sing, The Old Rugged Cross. Grandchildren, Becky, Baily, Jaxon and Jake Schmidt will sing Beautiful Savior and the congregation will sing, Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art.
Honorary casketbearers will be his granddaughers, Angela Bochek, Jayme Gray, Molly Hanson, Rebecca Schmidt and Baily Schmidt. The active casketbearers will be grandsons of Melvins, Gregory Bochek, Spencer Hanson, Clayton Hanson, Christopher Bochek, Jaxon Schmidt and Jake Schmidt. Burial with full military honors provided by the Johnny Fonken American Legion Post of Willow Lake will follow in the Collins Cemetery at Willow Lake.
Visitation will be on Friday from 5-8 PM with a prayer service at 7PM all in the Church at Willow Lake. Visitation will continue at the Church after 1PM on Saturday.
Melvin was born in Hague Township, northwest of Willow Lake on January 25, 1919, the first-borne of eight children to Menno and Letha (Ackerman) Schmidt.
He was baptized and then confirmed by Pastor Palmer at The Hague Lutheran Church on August 7, 1932. In 1938 he graduated from Willow Lake High School and then attended SDSU for one year. Melvin was honorably discharged from the United States Army on January 8, 1942. Melvin began his career path as a partner in a trucking business with Matt Kruse.
On March 12, 1944 he was united in marriage to his soul-mate of almost 65 years, Edna Lucille Izzy Carter in the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church. The home Melvin was currently living in was their first and only home, they raised four children there. Their married life began with the purchase of a drug store on Willow Lakes Main Street and operated it as Schmidts Drugstore. In 1952, Melvin purchased the International Harvester dealership from RJ Hofer and Schmidt Implement began and active until selling it in 1977. During those years, Melvin was recognized several times as being the leading dealership in the nation for LP tractors. They also farmed and raised Registered Herefords at the home place, the place they called home for over 64 years. Melvin was active in farming until his death, in fact, getting off the combine on Christmas Eve day, the day the 2009 harvest was finished.
Melvin and Edna shared a lifetime of family and friends in this area. Many boating and skiing days were spent on area lakes. They have pictures and souvenirs of the numerous International Harvester trips that Melvin had won. They also spent 25 years of wintering in Donna, Texas while their sons Jim and Jack held down the fort. Melvin became an avid Willow Lake Pirate fan to fill his winter months. He was a fan of basketball games for many years and was especially proud of the girls team. On their 60th wedding anniversary a photo was taken of them at the Girls State B Tournament and was published in an area paper. Melvin was an avid reader. Many friends and neighbors reaped the bounty of his love for wood-working. He made, distributed and repaired the numerous windmills, ducks and sunflowers. He said that not one of any of the things he made were ever alike.
He was a member of the American Legion Johnny Fonken Post #113 in Willow Lake and an active member of the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church, serving as a council member and a church delegate on numerous occasions.
Preceding him in death were his parents, wife Edna Izzy on January 29, 2009, a son, Jim, great-grandson, Eithan Mark James Rasmussen and 5 siblings, LeRoy (Peggy), Leo, Harvey and Larry Schmidt and Grace Tomasich.
Grateful for having shared in his life are his children, Karen Bochek of Vienna, Jan Hanson of Watertown and Mervin Hanson of Browns Valley and Jack (Caryl) Schmidt of Willow Lake, 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and brothers, Menno H. Babe (Phyllis) Schmidt and Don (Helen) Schmidt all of Willow Lake. Also surviving is a daughter-in-law, Janet Schmidt of Lennox and a brother-in-law, John Tomasich of Bradenton, FL
Furness Funeral Home of Clark is serving the family where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at 2:30 PM in the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church (WELS) in Willow Lake with The Reverend Mark Guthmiller & Reverend Michael Enderle officiating. Music will be presented by Aris Schmidt as organist with Dan Schmidt as soloist. He will sing, The Old Rugged Cross. Grandchildren, Becky, Baily, Jaxon and Jake Schmidt will sing Beautiful Savior and the congregation will sing, Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art.
Honorary casketbearers will be his granddaughers, Angela Bochek, Jayme Gray, Molly Hanson, Rebecca Schmidt and Baily Schmidt. The active casketbearers will be grandsons of Melvins, Gregory Bochek, Spencer Hanson, Clayton Hanson, Christopher Bochek, Jaxon Schmidt and Jake Schmidt. Burial with full military honors provided by the Johnny Fonken American Legion Post of Willow Lake will follow in the Collins Cemetery at Willow Lake.
Visitation will be on Friday from 5-8 PM with a prayer service at 7PM all in the Church at Willow Lake. Visitation will continue at the Church after 1PM on Saturday.
Melvin was born in Hague Township, northwest of Willow Lake on January 25, 1919, the first-borne of eight children to Menno and Letha (Ackerman) Schmidt.
He was baptized and then confirmed by Pastor Palmer at The Hague Lutheran Church on August 7, 1932. In 1938 he graduated from Willow Lake High School and then attended SDSU for one year. Melvin was honorably discharged from the United States Army on January 8, 1942. Melvin began his career path as a partner in a trucking business with Matt Kruse.
On March 12, 1944 he was united in marriage to his soul-mate of almost 65 years, Edna Lucille Izzy Carter in the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church. The home Melvin was currently living in was their first and only home, they raised four children there. Their married life began with the purchase of a drug store on Willow Lakes Main Street and operated it as Schmidts Drugstore. In 1952, Melvin purchased the International Harvester dealership from RJ Hofer and Schmidt Implement began and active until selling it in 1977. During those years, Melvin was recognized several times as being the leading dealership in the nation for LP tractors. They also farmed and raised Registered Herefords at the home place, the place they called home for over 64 years. Melvin was active in farming until his death, in fact, getting off the combine on Christmas Eve day, the day the 2009 harvest was finished.
Melvin and Edna shared a lifetime of family and friends in this area. Many boating and skiing days were spent on area lakes. They have pictures and souvenirs of the numerous International Harvester trips that Melvin had won. They also spent 25 years of wintering in Donna, Texas while their sons Jim and Jack held down the fort. Melvin became an avid Willow Lake Pirate fan to fill his winter months. He was a fan of basketball games for many years and was especially proud of the girls team. On their 60th wedding anniversary a photo was taken of them at the Girls State B Tournament and was published in an area paper. Melvin was an avid reader. Many friends and neighbors reaped the bounty of his love for wood-working. He made, distributed and repaired the numerous windmills, ducks and sunflowers. He said that not one of any of the things he made were ever alike.
He was a member of the American Legion Johnny Fonken Post #113 in Willow Lake and an active member of the Willow Lake Evangelical Lutheran Church, serving as a council member and a church delegate on numerous occasions.
Preceding him in death were his parents, wife Edna Izzy on January 29, 2009, a son, Jim, great-grandson, Eithan Mark James Rasmussen and 5 siblings, LeRoy (Peggy), Leo, Harvey and Larry Schmidt and Grace Tomasich.
Grateful for having shared in his life are his children, Karen Bochek of Vienna, Jan Hanson of Watertown and Mervin Hanson of Browns Valley and Jack (Caryl) Schmidt of Willow Lake, 13 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and brothers, Menno H. Babe (Phyllis) Schmidt and Don (Helen) Schmidt all of Willow Lake. Also surviving is a daughter-in-law, Janet Schmidt of Lennox and a brother-in-law, John Tomasich of Bradenton, FL
Furness Funeral Home of Clark is serving the family where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com.
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