1923
Arnold
2011
Arnold Schmidt
December 2, 1923 — November 2, 2011
Arnold Walter Schmidt went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 87 years of age, with his family by his side. He had been in anticipation of his walk with the Lord.
Arnold was born to Herman F. and Dorothea (Meyer) Schmidt on December 2, 1923 in Carlisle Township, the youngest of four children. Arnold was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls on January 13, 1924, and he was confirmed on May 30, 1937 at Trinity Lutheran Church.
The family later moved to Fergus Falls Township, where Arnold attended School District 96 (1434) through the eighth grade and received four award of perfect attendance. He then attended one year of high school. Arnold was very active in youth church activities and also served as usher. The family moved in 1944 to the farm that Arnold was currently living on. Arnold enjoyed farming the land and in retirement years, took pride in keeping the yard mowed, always enjoyed the time to be outdoors.
Arnold married Marlas Johansen, March 15, 1959 at Sverdrup Lutheran Church in Underwood, MN. They were blessed with five children, Matthew, Mark, Randy, Neal and Amy. Arnold and Marlas were blessed with over 52 years of marriage. Arnold was involved in dairy farming, retiring in 1988. Arnold started volunteer driving for Otter Tail County in November, 1988, retiring in 2011 due to health issues, having completed over 22 years. He enjoyed driving and being of service to people in need of a ride to appointments. Arnold and Marlas had one apple tree and every fall Arnold would be involved in helping to peel and slice apples, preparing them for sauce, juice or pie. Every summer Arnold would help pick raspberries and enjoyed gardening. He was an expert in pocket gopher trapping.
Arnold was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, transferring to Calvary Lutheran Church and later became member of Bethel Lutheran Church. Arnold had faithfully served on various church boards. He was a Sunday School teacher and also served as secretary for Bethel Lutheran Church Sunday School. He served for six years as a deacon of Bethel Lutheran Church and truly enjoyed his visits with shut-ins, always saying the shut-ins inspired him. Arnold served on the Elizabeth Creamery Board as director for several years. Arnold worked with the Otter Tail County Fair 4-H poultry program.
Arnold was a crossword puzzle enthusiast and also remembered and told many jokes he read in the Reader's Digest. He had a good memory of dates and events. Arnold enjoyed having family members come for visits and spending time with the children and grandchildren. Holidays and birthdays were enjoyed with family. Arnold enjoyed driving to Colorado to visit Matthew and Sally and also visits to Mark and Jane for baptism and birthdays of grandchildren. Arnold was a gentle, quiet, hard working, husband, father and grandfather.
Arnold is survived by his wife, Marlas of Fergus Falls; children, Mark (Jane) Schmidt, and their children: Sarah, Rebecca, Levi and Grace of Darwin, MN; Randy Schmidt of Fargo, ND; Neal (Shari) Schmidt of Fergus Falls; and their children: Austin and Ethan Mahrer and Kyler Schmidt; Amy (Robert) Socha, Fergus Falls; daughter-in-law, Sally Schmidt of West Bend, WI, and her children, Christina and Peter; a sister, Florence Hanneman, Fergus Falls; along with several nieces and nephews.
Arnold was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Dorothea Schmidt; his son, Matthew Schmidt; brother-in-law, Gordon Clark and sister and brother-in-law, Laura and Ervin Fanselau; brother-in-law, Harold "Pat" Hanneman; brother, Harold Schmidt; sister-in-law, Margaret Schmidt; brother-in-law, Orris Torgrimson; sister-in-law, Jeanette Berg; brother-in-law, LaVern Berg and nephew, Todd Torgrimson.
Blessed be the memory of Arnold Walter Schmidt
Visitation: 3 – 5 PM Sunday, November 6, 2011, in Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, with a prayer service at 4:30 PM.
Funeral Service: 11 AM Monday, November 7, 2011, in Bethel Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, with visitation one hour prior to services at church.
Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Officiating: Rev. David Foss and Rev. Ken Austin
Condolences: Glende-Nilson.com
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, MN
Arnold was born to Herman F. and Dorothea (Meyer) Schmidt on December 2, 1923 in Carlisle Township, the youngest of four children. Arnold was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls on January 13, 1924, and he was confirmed on May 30, 1937 at Trinity Lutheran Church.
The family later moved to Fergus Falls Township, where Arnold attended School District 96 (1434) through the eighth grade and received four award of perfect attendance. He then attended one year of high school. Arnold was very active in youth church activities and also served as usher. The family moved in 1944 to the farm that Arnold was currently living on. Arnold enjoyed farming the land and in retirement years, took pride in keeping the yard mowed, always enjoyed the time to be outdoors.
Arnold married Marlas Johansen, March 15, 1959 at Sverdrup Lutheran Church in Underwood, MN. They were blessed with five children, Matthew, Mark, Randy, Neal and Amy. Arnold and Marlas were blessed with over 52 years of marriage. Arnold was involved in dairy farming, retiring in 1988. Arnold started volunteer driving for Otter Tail County in November, 1988, retiring in 2011 due to health issues, having completed over 22 years. He enjoyed driving and being of service to people in need of a ride to appointments. Arnold and Marlas had one apple tree and every fall Arnold would be involved in helping to peel and slice apples, preparing them for sauce, juice or pie. Every summer Arnold would help pick raspberries and enjoyed gardening. He was an expert in pocket gopher trapping.
Arnold was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls, transferring to Calvary Lutheran Church and later became member of Bethel Lutheran Church. Arnold had faithfully served on various church boards. He was a Sunday School teacher and also served as secretary for Bethel Lutheran Church Sunday School. He served for six years as a deacon of Bethel Lutheran Church and truly enjoyed his visits with shut-ins, always saying the shut-ins inspired him. Arnold served on the Elizabeth Creamery Board as director for several years. Arnold worked with the Otter Tail County Fair 4-H poultry program.
Arnold was a crossword puzzle enthusiast and also remembered and told many jokes he read in the Reader's Digest. He had a good memory of dates and events. Arnold enjoyed having family members come for visits and spending time with the children and grandchildren. Holidays and birthdays were enjoyed with family. Arnold enjoyed driving to Colorado to visit Matthew and Sally and also visits to Mark and Jane for baptism and birthdays of grandchildren. Arnold was a gentle, quiet, hard working, husband, father and grandfather.
Arnold is survived by his wife, Marlas of Fergus Falls; children, Mark (Jane) Schmidt, and their children: Sarah, Rebecca, Levi and Grace of Darwin, MN; Randy Schmidt of Fargo, ND; Neal (Shari) Schmidt of Fergus Falls; and their children: Austin and Ethan Mahrer and Kyler Schmidt; Amy (Robert) Socha, Fergus Falls; daughter-in-law, Sally Schmidt of West Bend, WI, and her children, Christina and Peter; a sister, Florence Hanneman, Fergus Falls; along with several nieces and nephews.
Arnold was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Dorothea Schmidt; his son, Matthew Schmidt; brother-in-law, Gordon Clark and sister and brother-in-law, Laura and Ervin Fanselau; brother-in-law, Harold "Pat" Hanneman; brother, Harold Schmidt; sister-in-law, Margaret Schmidt; brother-in-law, Orris Torgrimson; sister-in-law, Jeanette Berg; brother-in-law, LaVern Berg and nephew, Todd Torgrimson.
Blessed be the memory of Arnold Walter Schmidt
Visitation: 3 – 5 PM Sunday, November 6, 2011, in Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, with a prayer service at 4:30 PM.
Funeral Service: 11 AM Monday, November 7, 2011, in Bethel Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, with visitation one hour prior to services at church.
Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Officiating: Rev. David Foss and Rev. Ken Austin
Condolences: Glende-Nilson.com
Funeral Home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, MN
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