Marcella "Sally" Schmidt

Marcella "Sally" Schmidt, age 98 of Little Falls, formerly of Swanville, MN, passed away peacefully with family by her side and earned her angel wings on January 8, 2023 at Highland Senior Living.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 16, 2023, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Swanville, MN with Rev. Kevin Zellers officiating. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery South East of Long Prairie, MN. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 AM on Monday at St. Peter's Lutheran Church.

Sally was so easy to love that it made her deeply loved by many. She will always be remembered by her adoring family and many friends for her heartwarming welcome, ready smile, and the kindness that radiated from her heart. Caring for Sally and her family is the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Swanville, MN.

Sally was born on March 25, 1924 in Long Prairie, MN to Henry and Anna (Meincke) Gmeiner. She along with her two sisters and three brothers grew up helping on their family farm outside Long Prairie. After their chores were done, they often enjoyed swimming and relaxing at nearby Lake Charlotte; Sally was known to "swim like a fish." She attended country school through eighth grade, then completed her high school education in Long Prairie. On some days, prior to walking to school in the morning, she helped her father deliver milk to area residents by horse-drawn wagon, no matter the time of year or weather condition. After high school, Sally was employed for a few years in the retail industry, first at a local "dime store" and then a department store in Long Prairie.

During this time, Sally met her first true love, Erhard William Schmidt, and spent many evenings listening and dancing to his band, The Knights of Rhythm, "Central Minnesota's danciest little band!" Sally was united in marriage to Erhard on June 5, 1946 in Long Prairie, MN. They built their home on Erhard's parent's dairy and crop farm outside of Swanville. Erhard also worked at Larson Boatworks in Little Falls. Sally and Erhard were blessed with one son, Dale, and three daughters, Linda, Rhonda and Brenda. After nearly 20 years of marriage, and at the young age of 47, Erhard suddenly left this world after being diagnosed with a terminal condition. Sally remained on the farm lovingly raising her young children. This strong-willed woman, leading by example, taught them many valuable life lessons.

In 1970, she was employed by Swanville Elementary School as a teacher's aide and playground supervisor. She remained there for 28 years where she touched the hearts of many students and developed life-long friendships with many staff members.

In 1980, she met Wade Murray, her loving companion for the next 35 years. They both shared a love of dancing and music, a relaxed country lifestyle, and spending time with family and friends making many new memories together.

Sally was known for her love of cooking, baking, flowers, and birds. You would be hard pressed to walk into Sally's home without being offered some fresh baked goods or a good home-cooked meal.

Sally is survived by her three daughters, Linda (Daniel) Mielke, Rhonda (David) Mielke and Brenda (Steven) Klein; seven grandchildren, Lee (Christin) Mielke, Kristen (Christopher) Sonju, Bradley (Kara) Schmidt; Alyssa (Miah) Snesrud, Alyson (Jeff) Leno, Bob (Karen) Mielke, and Karly Klein; 13 great-grandchildren, Payton, Parker, and Cameron Mielke; Ellie, Ethan and Ava Sonju; Braden and Macie Schmidt; Calvin and Davis Snesrud; Berkeley and Winston Leno; and Alexis Mielke.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents, Anna and Henry Gmeiner; brothers, Lawrence, Ervin, and Elmer Gmeiner; sisters, Esther Claseman and Bernice Diebel; husband, Erhard Schmidt; companion, Wade Murray; son, Dale Schmidt and numerous other family members and friends.

Many thanks go out to the staff at Highland Senior Living for the loving care given to our mother throughout her 12 years there, to Reverend Kevin Zellers for always remembering mom with his visits, to St. Croix Hospice for the helpful and thoughtful care given in recent weeks, and to all for holding mom's hands when we were not there to do so. Mom was surrounded by so much caring and love it warms our hearts.