Danford "Dan" "Dan" Schmidt, Sr. Sr.

Danford "Dan" Schmidt Sr., 90, of Nerstrand, passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at Three Links Care Center in Northfield. He was born January 22, 1935, in Algona, Iowa, to the late Fred and Mary (Marlow) Schmidt. Dan graduated from Lone Rock High School and enlisted into the United States Air Force on March 3, 1953. After serving nine months, Dan returned to Iowa to marry his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Arlene Zumach, on December 25, 1953, at Lotts Creek Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iowa. After they married, the couple moved to Washington D.C. where Dan was stationed for a few months. After his honorable discharge in 1957, Dan had decided to reenlist into the Air Force, where he would be reassigned to many airbases in several states and various European countries that included: Greenland, England, Spain, Portugal/Azores, France, Germany, and even northern Africa. The stories that Dan could tell were numerous, but the one story that always came up was when he had the privilege of flying with Bob Hope during a USO tour through Europe.

On March 1, 1963, Dan was again honorably discharged from the Air Force in Duluth, Minnesota. He soon after made the transition to the Federal Aviation Association as an Air Traffic Controller in Farmington, Minnesota which he did for 22 years until his official retirement. Thinking he was retired, Dan and Arlene spent time working on the farm where they would care for beef cattle and hogs and raised corn and soybeans.

When Dan wasn't working, he enjoyed reading and was a meticulous wood worker. As a dedicated member and past president of Holden Lutheran Church, some of Dan's beautiful woodwork can be found in the church. As a proud veteran, Dan also was a member of the Kenyon American Legion. The most important things to Dan were his family, his faith, and his country.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years Arlene Schmidt of Nerstrand; his sons, Danford Jr. (Mary Ann) of Carthage, IL, and Jeff (Cathy) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; daughter-in-law, Shawn Schmidt of Spring Valley, MN; and brother, Jim (and Barb) Schmidt of Keswick, IA. Dan is further survived by his sister-in-law, Carol Berkland of Cape Coral, FL; brother-in-law, Larry Block of Anoka, MN; grandchildren: Holly, Nikolas, Nathan, Mikayla, and Maddie; and great-grandchildren: Morgan, Rhyan, Noel, Harper, Chloe, Cassidy, Sophia, and Myles.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Kevin Schmidt; his sister, LeElna Weimer; his brother, Kenneth; and granddaughter, Sarah.

A Celebration of Dan's Life will be held at 11:30 AM on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at Holden Lutheran Church, rural Kenyon, with Reverend Dustin Haider officiating. A visitation will be held from 10:30 AM until the time of service. Dan will be laid to rest at the church cemetery with full military honors.