H. David Schmidtke

1926 - 2025

Faribault - H. David Schmidtke, Jr., age 99 of Faribault, died on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at New Perspective Senior Living, Faribault.

Funeral services will be held at Saint Luke's Church, Faribault on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Dr. Gordon Elliott officiating. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, at a later date.

Visitation will be at the church for one hour prior to the service on Saturday.

Arrangements are being completed by Boldt Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Faribault.

Herman David Schmidtke, Jr., son of Herman and Augusta (Ahlman) Schmidtke was born on April 22, 1926 in Faribault, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Morristown. He graduated from Morristown High School in 1944 and entered the US Marine Corps. A notable point in his military career came when he marched for President Franklin D. Roosevelt's funeral procession. He was discharged in 1946 and attended National Radio School in Minneapolis, graduating in 1947. His radio career began at KWNO in Winona. In 1948 he became a radio operator at KDHL in Faribault when it went on the air. He also worked at Folsom Television and Radio at that time.

On October 15, 1950 he married Lila Tonn in Lester Prairie. They shared over 73 years of marriage before Lila's death in 2023.

In 1957, Dave established Dave's Electronic Service in Faribault, specializing in two-way radio communications sales and service. In 1978, he established D & L Specialties, a tower rental service for two-way radio communications, pagers, and satellite systems.

Dave served as a board member on the National Council of Independent Communications Suppliers, representing the upper midwest region for eight years. He was a member of St. Luke's Church, American Legion Post 149, and the 40&8 Society. Dave was proud of his life memberships in the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and Pheasants Forever.

Dave enjoyed HAM radio, fishing, hunting, dancing with his Schatze, and "fixing stuff."

Dave is survived by his nieces and nephews: Sheryll Ann (David) Harbaugh, Zona Raelson, Sonya (Antonio) Rosadio, Carol Duemke, Pat (Paul) Mahoney, Mary (Rick) Wilke, Michael (Christina) Tonn, Matthew (Melissa) Tonn, Maurice (Sharon) Tonn.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lila, and his four brothers: Albert, Herbert, Siegfried, and Theodore.

Honorary pallbearers: Adam Wilke, Andrew Wilke, Cole Tonn, Trevor Tonn, Logan Tonn, Josie Tonn, and Megan Tonn.

Boldtfuneralhome.com for information and guest book.