Kenneth J. Schmidt

1950 - 2022

Kenneth J. Schmidt, 71

November 4, 1950-February 9, 2022

Kenneth J. Schmidt passed away at Community Hospital of Anaconda on February 9,. 2022 after two years of health issues.

He was born November 4, 1950 in Rahway, New Jersey, the 4th of 5 children of Walter J. and Wanda (French) Schmidt. Because his father was an employee of Esso Standard Oil, he spent his early years traveling with his family to Japan, to Indonesia, then back to Japan, graduating from Yo-Hi high school in Japan in 1968. Following high school, the rural setting of Montana was appealing, so he applied to and attended the University of Montana in Missoula, where he completed his B.A. in Anthropology in 1972. During his college years he met Liana Ehlafald, who also attended the U of M, and they married on September 2, 1972 at Eccleston Bay, Georgetown Lake following their graduation from college.

He was employed at Montana State Hospital, Warm Springs, for 33 years in various positions, and retired in 2005 from his favorite job there as a computer trainer.

He chose to stay in the Anaconda area because he enjoyed the recreational opportunities of hunting, fishing and participating in archaeological surveys and digs. For several summers he was a volunteer for the US Forest Service "Passport in Time" program and also spent time participating in a private archaeological project near Philipsburg.

Ken was a man with many interests, including, but not limited to, rescuing injured wildlife, flint knapping, geo-caching, volunteering for the historic resource board and Pintler Pets, and engaging his Facebook friends with humorous commentary on a variety of topics. Creating unique gadgets and making knives with bone carved handles were also hobbies. He is also remembered for entertaining exploits with his children and their friends in their younger years and later on with his grandchildren. He enjoyed music and was adept at playing guitar with a local band for a short time and ended his foray as a musician with weekly gatherings in his garage. He also trained in various martial arts over several years.

Having traveled the world in his youth with his parents, he was content to limit his adult travels to the Oregon coast for summer vacations and road trips to Colorado to see family.

Generous with his time and talents is how friends have described him as well as entertaining with his wit and humor and knowledgeable on various topics that interested him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Karen, and is survived by his wife of 49 years Liana, his daughter Jill, son- in- law Mike and four grandchildren Kaleb, Gavin, Aiden and Brianna Sabota of Spokane, WA, his son Jeff of Kalispell, his brother Mark of Anaconda, his sister Martha of Copperopolis, CA, sister Nancy Lambert of Prescott, AZ, his two nephews Steven of Colorado and Michael Scott of Illinois and their families, and his sister- in- law Karen of Anaconda.

No services are planned at this time. In remembrance of Ken enjoy a sunrise, feed the birds, catch a fish, or listen to a song by Dire Straits or John Denver.

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral & Cremation Service is entrusted with Ken's funeral arrangements. You may pay your condolences at www.longfellowfinneganriddle.com.