Larry Eugene Schmidt
Larry Eugene Schmidt
Larry Eugene Schmidt left this earth to be with Jesus on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at his home in rural Zumbro Falls, MN after suffering a stroke.
Larry was born on January 26, 1941 in Watertown, SD to Eugene and Lillian Schmidt.
He was raised on the family farm near Butler, SD where he learned to value family, hard work, hunting and fishing with brother Rog. His passion for fishing remained for the rest of his life. He passed this love of fishing on to his wife, children and grandchildren.
Larry graduated from Bristol High School in 1959. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1959 and discharged in 1963, serving his last two years in Spain.
Larry graduated from SD State University in 1969 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and a MS in Industrial Engineering. He was a member of the Pi Tau Sigma Fraternity.
He was hired by IBM in 1969 and worked on various engineering and project management assignments until his retirement in 1996. After retiring he contracted with Loral Space Systems in support of the US Postal Service and local businesses. He also worked part time at Andy’s Liquors at the Wine Tasting Table on Saturdays, which he truly had fun doing.
Larry contributed many hours to the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program which helps lower income families with their tax returns. He volunteered for over 12 years – preparing returns and teaching classes to other counselors.
Larry was an active member and treasurer of the Shades of Green Hosta Society. He was also a Master Gardener with the U of M Extension program.
He was blessed with a great sense of humor and loved to hear people laugh; he made us laugh every day. He lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed the theater, golfing, “the cabin”, gardening and reading; but his favorite was entertaining – gourmet cooking, dining and pairing the perfect wine with the meal.
He is survived by his wife Pam, father to five children; Kristina (Tony) Heid of Buffalo, MN, Wendy (Wesley) McDermott of Eau Claire, WI, Tammy (David) Petschl of Centerville, MN, Tracey (Wayne) Minyard of OKC, OK and Travis (Elisabeth) Schmidt of Fate, TX; 4 grandchildren; Milien and Matthias McDermott, Ashley Minyard and Madisen Schmidt; 2 brothers, Roger (Dolly) Schmidt of Aberdeen, SD and Terry (Jennifer) Schmidt of Fairbanks, AK
Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister, LeAnn Athey.
Celebration of life for Larry will be held at 5:00pm on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 3:00pm to 5:00pm on Wednesday prior to the service. A private interment will be in Pleasant Prairie Cemetery, rural Zumbro Falls, MN with military rights provided by the VFW Post 1215.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials to the family. They plan to donate a special Action Trackchair to a disabled Vet in memory of Larry.
www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
Condolences
The family of Larry Eugene Schmidt has received the following condolences.
My heart goes out to you all. You will have blessed memories to sustain you. What a loss to this world, but what a reunion in the next! I knew Larry through my sister Dolly and Roger.
You will be missed by many uncle Larry! Pam and family did a beautiful job writing the obituary! Mom (LeAnn) and uncle Larry are probably planting a beautiful garden of flowers and vegetables as we speak! Sending prayers, Paul, Laura (LeAnn's eldest daughter), Evan and Ella
I would like to express my deepest sympathy at this time. I knew Larry and Pam through the Master Gardener Program. He will be missed at this organization. He had just taken on the treasurer position shortly before his stroke.I will always remember a trick about storing winter squash they passed on to me last fall. They told me to keep them on a wooden pallet on the basement floor. Here it is-almost Memorial Weekend and I still have one last squash left!. Sounds silly, but I will always think of Larry and how he saved my Butternut squash. Happy gardening Larry. The next world will be a better place with you in it.
Larry loved people so much! He was always so friendly and happy to see everyone! I will always remember his great sense of humor! My thoughts and prayers are with the family. May god bless you and give you strength during this difficult time in your life.
We are sorry to learn of Larry's passing, but from what Roger and Dolly had said, he was ready to go if he couldn't fend for himself and his own needs. That's a heck of a position to be in, but we commend his bravery in taking that step! I'm sure he's in heaven with his parents and LeAnn and once again able to "do his own thing". Our condolences to all of his family. We know you'll miss him, but we pray that good memories will keep him in your hearts forever.
Pamela, I just found out today and I'm so sorry. Sandy called me on my cell phone last Wednesday and left a message but the message didn't show up until today (Friday). I will be getting in touch and will send a memorial check to your address.
With great sympathy, Charles
Pam, I am so sorry to see about Larry's passing! it was just a few days ago it seems like I talked to him about what he was going to replace for his truck! Always full of vim and vigor, I had a hard time keeping up with him when I saw him, whether it be the banter about politics, about his truck, or even life! Please let me know if there's anything I can do........
Rich Freytag
always enjoyed our conversations at Think Mutual Bank. Taught me a lot about my plants. Prayers are with your family.