Alvin Schmidt

1931 - 2025

Alvin M. (Smitty) Schmidt passed away Monday, October 6, 2025, at his home in Sun City West, Arizona, with his wife of 31 years, Kathy, by his side.

Smitty was born on August 10, 1931 in Morrison County, Minnesota to parents, Leonard Walter and Anne Amanda Ida (Ehrenberg) Schmidt. He grew up doing chores on the family farm and working at various creameries in the area.

When Smitty was older, he moved to Montana, where he found work at Peterson Metal Works. He met Charlotte Ann Elpel in Glendive, and they were married on August 27, 1952. Smitty then served in the U.S. Army, in Korea, from 1952 to 1954.

He and Charlotte lived in Glendive where Smitty worked at Wagner Plumbing & Heating. Four children were born to their union. Smitty and Charlotte were married for 39 years, until Charlotte passed away on August 13, 1991.

They moved to Bozeman in 1980 where he started Smitty's Plumbing & Heating with two of his sons. Smitty met Kathy Williams there and they were married on December 30, 1993. They lived in Bozeman for several years and then moved permanently to Arizona.

Smitty was predeceased by his parents, Leonard and Anne Schmidt, parents-in-law, August and Mabel Elpel, his wife, Charlotte, brothers, Elmer and Willis Schmidt. Brothers-in-law, Joseph, Edwin and A. Gerald Elpel, Larry Flesch and Arthur Tomscheck. Sisters-in-law, Lila Mae, Marilyn, W. Joan Schmidt and Eve Elpel.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy, and stepson, David Lee Williams. Four children, Cheryl (Greg) Shaffer of Glendive, Montana, Daryl (Michele) Schmidt of Snohomish, Washington, Darwin (Carla) Schmidt of Bozeman, Montana and D'Wayne (Nita) Schmidt of Billings, Montana. His brother Larry Schmidt and sister-in-law, Donna Schmidt of Long Prairie, Minnesota, sisters-in-law Joan Elpel of Billings, Montana and Jan Elpel of Bozeman, Montana. Grandchildren Amanda (Steve) Gillispie and their children, Erica and Brenna, all of Glendive, Montana, Paul (Jessica) Shaffer of Pleasanton, California, Sara (Nick) Chavez and their children, Maverick and Charlotte, all of Billings, Montana, Jennifer Kolling of Belgrade, Montana, Brandon (Megan) Schmidt of Bozeman, Montana, Stephanie (Kurt) White and their children, Kacy and Adalyn, of Townsend, Montana, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Services will be held Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Silha Funeral Home in Glendive with Pastor Avis Anderson officiating. Interment with military honors will be in Dawson Memorial Cemetery. Refreshments will be served at the Moose Hall following the interment ceremony. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Remembrances and condolences can be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.