Joe Schmidt, 88

On Dec. 15, 2015, after 13 years of caring for a heartbroken family, Dad has “gone to join the love and meaning of his life — our mom.”

Joe Schmidt, 88, was a man who affected the lives of all he touched. He not only taught his children to ride bikes and drive cars, but he also taught them the meaning and importance of family. Joe left school at the age of 11 to help support his own large family. During his life he was employed in mills, logging, truck driving, and self-taught auto body repairs. He liked very much to take his wife and children to Alaska and Montana to enjoy the summer months. He and his wife, Madge, founded their own business, Reborn Auto.

For recreation, Joe enjoyed woodworking and traveling, along with many other hobbies. He was a man who labored every day, be it on work or play. Most importantly, though, he appreciated family. He would commonly say things such as “Family sticks together, right or wrong.”

He gallantly served his country through the Coast Guard.

Joe was born on Aug. 4, 1927, in Leon, Kansas, to Jacob and Katrina (Wedel) Schmidt. He married Madge Marie Mayfield on Dec. 31, 1952. in Canon City, Colorado.

Joe is survived by his sister, Elsie Becker; children Gary (Fay), Cindy, Lorna (Bill) and Frank Jackson; grandchildren Shawn VanQuekelberg, Katrina (Chris) Arnold, Jessica Roberts, Amanda (Tim) Terrell, Brittany Stevenson, Frankie Jackson, Simon Knapton, and his ever-ready sidekick Josephine Terrell, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews spread across many miles.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Madge; siblings Esther (Jantz), Ervin, Susie (Weaver), Irene (Jantz), Edvin, Della, and Neola (Strobaugh); sons-in-law Terry VanQuekelberg and George Riley; and grandsons Matthew and Mark.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, at North Valley Community Center, 235 Nucleus Ave. in Columbia Falls.

Please join us to celebrate the life of Joe and share your stories with our family.