Fred Schmidt

1936 - 2025

On December 27th, Fredrick "Big Fred" Joseph Schmidt passed away peacefully from complications of Melanoma. He was born May 27, 1936 on Long Island, New York to parents Henry and Sophie (Kramer) Schmidt. The family later migrated to Stanwood, Washington and finally settling in Lake Stevens, where they owned and operated the Sandy Beach Store from 1943-51. Fred attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School and then graduated from Everett High School in 1954. He served in the US Army and was later called out of service to support his family. Fred spent 10 years working for Boeing Aircraft Company, four of those years at the Boeing Test Site in Marysville on the Saturn Rocket Engine. He and his sister, Anna Lucas, co-founded the Herfy's drive-ins-which extended from Bellingham to Tacoma with over 500 employees. Over the years, he always enjoyed hearing from past employees and customer memories. Since childhood, Fred has been a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, now Our Lady of Hope Chapel. Fred was a co-founder of the local Everett Sausage Fest, which raised funds for Catholic Education. Fred loved his country and always encouraged young people to get involved, being celebrated as the "Republican of the Year" in Snohomish County. In their 63 years of marriage, Fred and Peggy built a full life of faith, family, and friends on Lake Stevens-legendary memories made as Fred welcomed all visitors with open arms. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Anna Lucas, and survived by wife Peggy, Barbara Stavig (Stuart), Fred Schmidt Jr. (Jennifer), Jim Schmidt (Beth), grandchildren - Joe and Sophie Stavig, Jake and Sidney Schmidt, Gabrielle and Simon Schmidt, brother Dr. William Schmidt (Susie) and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Funeral mass will be celebrated on January 2, 2026, at Our Lady of Hope Chapel (2617 Cedar Street, Everett) at 11am. Reception following in Henson Hall. Rosary will be held at the Everett Evergreen Funeral Home at 6pm January 1, 2026. We want to thank all of Fred's caregivers, at Ocean View Elderly Care. Memorials may be made to Our Lady of Hope Catholic Parish or OLH St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank.