1925 – Leland Elton Schmidt – 2017
Leland Schmidt was born in Slayton Township in Murray County, Minnesota on February 13, 1925 to Rudolf and Elsie Storm Schmidt. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school. He was drafted, and on March 9, 1945 inducted into the Army Air Corps. Sgt. Schmidt was honorably discharged on December 5, 1946 at the Camp Beale California Separation Center. Returning to Slayton, Leland married Bertha “Dottie” May Zanter on February 24, 1949. In 1953 the family moved along with brother-in-law Albert Zanter to Walker, MN spending the next five years operating a dairy farm, working as a carpenter and lumberjack. In 1958 they returned to Avoca. Leland worked for several years as a farm laborer for Herman Abramson in rural Slayton. He then made the decision to change careers and go back to his original passion carpentry. In the mid-60’s Leland and Dottie were also involved in owning and operating the Friendly Tavern in Avoca, with business partners Erna and Louie Niehaus. Leland and his son, Steven, formed Schmidt Construction Company where they worked together until his retirement. He loved northern Minnesota, growing roses, woodworking, trains, raising New Zealand Red rabbits, duck hunting, roller-skating, polka music and fishing. Leland was a proud veteran and a member of the Fulda and Avoca American Legion Posts where he had the privilege to serve as Avoca Post Commander. He was also a member of Faith Lutheran Church. Leland suffered a massive stroke on September 30th and passed away at the Sioux Falls Veteran’s Administration Hospice Community Living Center on Sunday, October 15, 2017.
Leland is survived by two sons, Michael Schmidt and his wife, Bonnie of Monticello, MN and Steven Schmidt of Avoca, MN, two grandsons, Nathan Schmidt and his wife, Jennifer Fiedor of Woodbury, MN and Tyler Schmidt and his wife, Carrie of Rochester, MN, one sister, Phyllis Baumann of Marshall, MN, four sisters-in-law; Esther “Mickey” Schmidt of Madelia, MN, Darlene Schmidt, of Slayton, MN, Shirley Zanter, of Bemidji, and Gertrude “Babe” Zanter, of Carmichael, CA, one brother-in-law, Walter Aeilts of Saint Paul, MN, and many nephews and nieces. Leland is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Dottie, infant sister, Fern Schmidt, four brothers, Dale, Reuben, Rudy, and Curtis Schmidt and three sisters, Eleanor Nimerfroh, Mavis Jones, and Leota Short.
Funeral Service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Avoca, MN on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Dawn Quame officiating. Interment is at Faith Lutheran Cemetery in Avoca, MN.
Blessed be his memory.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday. Totzke Funeral Home of Slayton is entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences visit totzkefuneralhome.com
