Carl Schmidt

Carl Schmidt, age 93 of Ortonville died March 4, 2018, at St. William’s Care Center in Milbank.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. at Abiding Faith Free Lutheran Church in Ortonville.  Rev. Richard Larson will officiate and burial will be at Eidskog Cemetery.  Visitation will be at the church on Saturday, one hour prior to the service.  Music will be provided by: Donna Danielson, organist; and the Milltones, vocalists.  Honorary bearers will be his granddaughters: Janelle Montplaisir, Susan Pillatzki, Jodi VonEschen, JoAnn Schmidt, Sarah VonEschen, Shay Reynolds, Kris Schmidt, and Karen Coombes.  Casket bearers will be his grandsons: Jason Schmidt, Darin VonEschen, Marty Montplaisir, Dylan VonEschen, Andrew Pillatzki, Tony VonEschen, Jesse Olson, and Chase Olson.

Carl Lester Schmidt Jr. was born on January 3, 1925, to parents Carl and Clara (Ehrenberg) Schmidt Sr. in Appleton, MN.  Carl was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Correll, MN.  He attended school in Correll and graduated with the Class of 1942.  Carl was united in marriage with Marcella Hoiland on September 3, 1944.  This union was blessed with three children: Ron, Kerry, and Cindy.

Carl farmed on the family farm until July of 1972.  He was employed with Cenex of Ortonville, MN, until May of 1986.  He was an active member of Eidskog Lutheran Church, serving as a Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent, and youth leader.  He also served as the church President and other church offices.  Carl was very involved with the Big Stone County 4-H program.

Carl’s love for sports led him to be a basketball coach for the Correll School.  He was also a baseball coach for the Akron youth.  Carl played softball and baseball for many local teams.  A fond memory was when Carl hit a single, double, triple, and a homerun, all in one game.  The highlight of his sporting enthusiasm was the opportunity to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.

Carl loved music and sang for many years with the Milltones.

After the passing of Marcella in 1988, Carl met and married Jan Olson in November of 1993.  They spent 22 years together before her passing in January 2016.

Carl is survived by his children: Ron (Linda) Schmidt of Correll, MN; Kerry (Dean) VonEschen of Ortonville, MN; and Cindy (Dale) VonEschen of Ortonville, MN; step-children: Loren (Julie) Olson of Cedar Rapids, IA; Les (Jessica) Olson of Brooklyn Park, MN; and Cindy (Clair) Angland of Alexandria, MN; grandchildren: Jason (Kris) Schmidt; Janelle (Marty) Montplaisir; JoAnn Schmidt; Susan (Lonnie Mielitz) Pillatzki; Sarah (Jeff Bergseth) VonEschen; Darin (Karen Coombes) VonEschen; and Jodi VonEschen; step-grandchildren: Rosa Olson, Anika Olson, Jesse Olson, Shay (Michael) Reynolds, Chase Olson, Carter Angland, and Cooper Angland; ten great-grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents; wives: Marcella and Jan; brother, Ralph; sister-in-law, Goldie Schmidt; and brother-in-law, Maurice Hoiland.