Date of Birth:
Monday, May 21, 1928
Date of Death:
Monday, February 1, 2021
Age:
92 years old

Robert F. (W.) Schmidt

Robert F. (W.) Schmidt  retired farmer of Eyota, died Monday, February 1, 2021 of cancer, surrounded by family. Bob was born on May 21,1928 to Frank and Frieda (Mueller) Schmidt of Eyota. He was born in the village of Dover at the home of his grandparents, Rudy and Lena Tschesche. Bob was baptized, confirmed,  married, and now will be buried at St. Paul’s Church. Bob was a great grandson of the original homesteader Carl Bierbaum and wife Katharina Stickfort in Viola township(1854). Carl Bierbaum’s brother-in-law, John Stickfort donated the land from his adjoining farm for St. Paul’s Church and cemetery.

Bob was a long-time member of St. Paul’s, sang in the church choir, served as treasurer for 6 years, and with his wife Lois, was a youth fellowship leader for many years.  He, Lois, and several cousins, planned and built a garage for the parsonage in 2007, and Bob was on the planning committee for the handicapped accessible addition to the church in 2009.

Bob grew up on a farm 5 miles northwest of Eyota on #9 across the road  from his other grandparents, Albert and Kate Schmidt.  He attended District 105 country school and graduated from Eyota High School  in 1945. In his youth he enjoyed being with his parents, grandparents, and his special dogs. He also liked fishing,  hunting, playing basketball and softball, riding his bicycle, and being with his special friend Arthur Pries. Bob  married his high school sweetheart, Lois Jean Drysdale, on May 22, 1947.

Bob worked 5 years as bookkeeper for Foster Electric Co. in Rochester. In 1952, Bob and Lois bought a farm about 3 miles northwest of Eyota in section 4. After farming for 42 years, they sold the farm of 200 acres in the fall of 1994. They helped build a house and moved into Eyota next to the West Side Park (with 2 softball fields).  “Eyota Bob”  was plant manager at Kruegels Gas Plant terminal at Eyota from July 1996 until January of 2018. He mowed-lawn and blew-snow at the plant until 2018. He blew-snow on local driveways from then on.

Bob enjoyed time with his family; DANCING, COUNTRY MUSIC, singing, whistling, spending time in the summer at their cottage at Shell Lake, Wisconsin and driving the boat to teach several young people how to water ski. He also liked spending time with his close friends, Arthur and Marian Pries and their children both at home and at their winter home in Florida. Arthur helped build the cabin at Shell Lake. Bob also enjoyed taking pictures of family, friends, scenery, and animals, playing  cards, bowling, and playing softball.

Of course there was a precious little girl named Jean who arrived in 1954.  She went on to school at Eyota High. She was great in band, chorus, cheer leading, and baton twirling. She graduated in 1971 and went

on to work at IBM for 41 years. She retired in 2015. Someone named Nancy said  “Jean was the best thing

that ever happened to you two”.

Bob and Lois enjoyed many trips (while she worked at IBM) to West Point, D.C., Florida, Dallas, Seattle,  San Jose, and Tucson. They also made many personal trips to Virginia, St. Petersburg, Dallas,  Amarillo,  Atlanta, St. Louis, Helena and Lewiston, Montana, and Portland, Oregon .

Bob enjoyed seeing and listening to the local “Elvis” (Brad Boice) and Ray Sands “Minnesota Polka Dots”. He was a strong supporter of local high school sports and enjoyed watching volleyball, basketball (both girl’s and boy’s), softball and baseball. Being a fan for so many years, he and Lois were elected to the D E Sports Wall of Fame. He also enjoyed college (U of M) and professional sports (Twins , Vikings,  Lynx and Minnesota Timberwolves).

Bob was on the Eyota Park Board for 10 years. He helped design and built dugouts and bleacher shelters for the softball fields at the Eyota West Side Park. Bob was also a member of the community choir for  many years. He was even named “Citizen of the Year” in 2000.

In June of 2017 they celebrated their 70th anniversary with a party at the Eyota Legion with food and music by the Minnesota Polka Dots for dancing.  Also in June of 2018, Bob celebrated his 90th birthday with a party/food and music by the Minnesota Polka Dots.

Many thanks should go to CNP Tina Small, Dr. Joseph Colgan, Nurse Laurie Drips, Dr. Robin Klebig of the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Lois B. Brunn of Apollo Dental Clinic, and Dana Johnson of the HyVee Pharmacy.

Bobs survivors include his wife Lois, daughter Jean (Roger) Johnson of Pine Island, grandson Rick (Brianna) their son Alexander Jensch of Rochester, Roger’s son Tom (Tammy) Johnson and family of Zumbrota, Roger’s daughter Jamie and family of Zumbrota, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  Bob was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins Don Moehnke, Don Hammel, Lee Hammel, and our special friends Arthur and Marian Pries.

Arrangements are with Macken Funeral Home in Rochester.  There will be a public graveside service at St. Paul’s U.C.C. Church North of Eyota on County Road 9 on Tuesday, February 9th 2021 at 2:00 P.M. with the Rev. Jean Boese officiating. Memorials may be sent to St. Paul’s U.C.C. Church, 12925 County Road 9, Box 157, Eyota, MN  55934.  Please no flowers. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com