Armin Albert Schmidt, 82
Armin Albert Schmidt, 82, passed away Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.
He was born Dec. 13, 1922, in Mehurin Township, Marietta, Minnesota, to John and Theresa (Krengel) Schmidt.
He grew up on the family farm with his parents and 11 other brothers and sisters. During the Depression, he and his brothers bought the first family car with money they had saved from trapping. Hunting, fishing, trapping and camping always were important parts of his life. He graduated from Marietta High School in 1941. He and his brothers took over the family farm after his dad passed away in 1939.
He married Alvera Mae Hillman on April 2, 1944. He worked as a farmer and in local agricultural businesses in Minnesota and South Dakota. He owned and operated his own school bus for 20 years. He was disabled in an industrial accident in 1964. The family moved to Kalispell in 1968, when Alvera received a teaching position with the Kalispell Public Schools. Armin worked many jobs after the move to Montana — salesman and maintenance at Montgomery Ward, in a car body shop, cooking in a restaurant, Mild Fence Co., and selling kitchenware and glassware to local restaurants.
He retired in 1987 and took on the full-time position as Grandpa. Armin and Alvera loved camping with their friends and the Moose Camp Club, and hunting at Grass Range was always priority ONE in the fall.
Armin was a founding member of the MinnKota Sportsman's Club in Marietta, Minn. He was involved with the Minnesota Masons for many years. Locally, he was involved in the Lions Club, Kalispell Eagles Lodge and the Kalispell Moose Lodge, for which he was an officer for many years.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Alvera, on April 17, 2004; his parents; brothers Dietrich Schmidt, Henry Schmidt, Lester Schmidt and Ray Schmidt; and sisters Irene Christensen and Louise Hacker.
He is survived by three daughters; Rhonda Farmer and husband, Don, of Revillo, S.D., Becky Schmidt of Kalispell, and Ranell Schlatter and husband, Phil, of Centreville, Va.; one son, Rodney Schmidt, and wife, Debbie, of Whitefish; eight grandchildren, Jason, Janessa, Josh, Kristy, Kali, Jessica, Peter and Stasia; one great-grand daughter, Alexia; three brothers, Winfred Schmidt and wife, Lyla, Victor Schmidt and wife, Ruth, and Eldon Schmidt and wife, Barb; two sisters, Ruth Ross and husband Bob, and Rhoda Wittnebel and husband, Jerry; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2005, at 11 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, with Pastor Kurk Rau officiating. Burial will be after the service at Glacier Memorial Gardens. A luncheon will be after the burial at the Moose Lodge. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005, at Johnson Mortuary Chapel.
The family suggests that donations go to the Evergreen Fire Department, Attn. Craig, P.O. Box 5008, Kalispell, MT 59903, or Calvary Lutheran Church, attn. Pastor Rau, 2200 U.S. 2 E., Kalispell, MT 59901 or charity of donor's choice.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Armin's family.