SCHMIDT, Roland William 1913-2008

SCHMIDT, STEBBINS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/30/2012 at 17:39:41

Roland W. Schmidt

CHARLES CITY - Roland W. Schmidt, 94, of Charles City and formerly of Fairmont, Minn., and Mason City, passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at the Chautauqua Guest Homes of Charles City.

Funeral services for Roland W. (Swede or Schmitty) Schmidt will be held 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 29 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Fairmont, Minnesota. Burial will be in the Lakeside Cemetery in Fairmont, Minnesota. Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. today, March 28, at the Lakeview Funeral Home, 205 Albion Ave. in Fairmont, Minn. and one hour prior to services at the church.

Roland William Schmidt, son of Otto and Louise Schmidt, was born July 6, 1913, in North Dakota. During his childhood, he lived in Truman and Good Thunder, Minn., where he was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran 80 years ago, and where he graduated from high school.

On Feb. 12, 1938, he was united in marriage with Ardis Stebbins in Good Thunder. He and Ardis lived in St. Paul and Mankato, Minn., and in 1942, the couple moved to Fairmont. In 1963, the family moved to Mason City. Schmitty was employed at Armour, Inc. for over 40 years, initially as a truck driver, then as a salesman, and finally as a district sales supervisor.

Following their retirement in 1975, Ardis and Swede returned to Fairmont. He worked part-time at Park Motor Company until 2002, retiring again at the age of 89.

Roland was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, serving the church whenever possible. He was an avid hunter, golfer and card player, especially cribbage and bridge, and he enjoyed watching all types of sports, particularly the Minnesota Vikings. Never one to let age slow him down, on his 80th birthday he went horseback riding and for his 85th he learned to ride a JetSki. His 90th birthday was celebrated with a crowd of over 100 in Fairmont.

Roland Schmidt is survived by two daughters, Sandra Smith and her husband, Robert, of Fenton, Mich., and Susan Ayers and her husband, David, of Charles City; one daughter-in-law, Heidi Schmidt and her husband, Bill Toninato, of Farmington, Minn.; five granddaughters, Heather (Darren) Newville, Kristi, (Matt) Rohman, Vanessa Smith, Betsy Smith, and Carolyn Smith; two grandsons, Jacob Kiroff and Cody Kiroff. Also surviving are four great-grandchildren: Rachel and Andy Newville, and Elly and Ethan Rohman, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Ardis, in 1992; his parents, two sons, David, in infancy, and Stephen in 1996; and three brothers, Detlev, Florus, and Lorence Schmidt.

Lakeview Funeral Home, 507-238-2215.
www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

[ Globe Gazette on 3/28/2008 ]