Howard Schmidt

Howard Gerald Schmidt, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, passed away peacefully at his home in Pima, Arizona, on June 22, 2025, at the age of 94. He is now joyfully reunited with his eternal sweetheart, Rea Lu Brown Schmidt, who preceded him in death on May 24, 2023.
Born October 29, 1930, in Lyndhurst, Shawano County, Wisconsin, Howard was the second child of Eldor William Schmidt and Sarah Hannah Heins. He was raised on the family farm nearby Seneca, where early-morning chores instilled in him a lifelong love of the land and an unwavering work ethic. After graduating high school, Howard sold his beloved Harley to head west to Brigham Young University in 1950, an adventure that would shape the rest of his life. Howard joined Air Force ROTC at BYU in 1952 and, upon graduation, became an Air Force flight instructor, teaching Army officers to pilot light aircraft. It was at the BYU ward in 1953 that Howard first met Rea Lu Brown. She conducted the music and he was the dance director and got his "winker working!" Friendship blossomed into courtship, and, after a whirlwind leave from the Air Force, Howard proposed on October 1, 1955. The couple were sealed for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple on December 6, 1955. Their love story spanned nearly 68 years and remains a shining example of faith, partnership, and devotion.
After his military service, he and Rea followed her father to Colonia Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, where Howard transitioned from fruit orchards to a successful career as a cattle rancher. Whether milking cows in Wisconsin or herding cattle in Mexico, he found joy in honest labor and the satisfaction of providing for his family. A master gardener, Howard grew vibrant flowers (especially for Rea) and shared produce, Rea's homemade bread, and fresh milk with friends, neighbors, and widows alike. He never met a stranger; everyone he greeted felt like an old friend and after their interactions with him truly felt special. Evenings often found him cheering for BYU Cougar sports or watching Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune (something he loved doing with Rea). His biggest smiles were when he interacted with his family, nothing brought him more joy.
Howard loved serving in the Temple and doing Family History work, he loved the peace and work with that work. Howard's greatest passion was serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Over the decades some callings he humbly accepted included bishopric counselor, bishop, high councilor, stake presidency counselor, patriarch, and temple sealer. Together with Rea, he presided over the Chile Santiago North Mission, served as president and matron of the Oaxaca Mexico Temple, and later as counselor in the Guadalajara Mexico Temple. His quiet testimony was constant: "The greatest decision I made in this life was when I chose the right person to marry. With Rea (my better half) by my side, opportunities and blessings have come to me one after another."
Howard always found joy in his posterity and is survived by: his sister, Nadine (Edward) Rosenberg; eight children: Karen (Steve) Reynolds, Kathryn (Kerry) McNeil, RaShell (Frank) King, Lynette (David) Durrant, Gerald (Leasa) Schmidt, Wayne (Kathy) Schmidt, Randy (Tara) Schmidt, and Kevin (Sheri) Schmidt; 41 grandchildren; and 51 great-grandchildren.
He was welcomed home by: Rea; his parents; his brother, Merritt Keith (survived by wife Janice); sisters, Clarissa Iona, Rachel Lois (John) McDonald, and Nathalie Corinne (Robert) Williamson; and grandsons, Steven Kade Perkins, Brock Reynolds, and Shane Reynolds.
Funeral services for Howard will be conducted Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at the Pima Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Concluding services will follow in the Pima Cemetery.
Family will receive friends Tuesday evening, July 1, 2025 from 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. at the Vining Funeral Home as well as Wednesday, July 2, 2025 from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. at the Pima Stake Center. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Howard, please visit our floral store.