John E. Schmidt

John Everett Schmidt was born to John William and Hilda Dorothy (Henry) Schmidt on February 4, 1930 in Flandreau, South Dakota. When he was one month old, he moved with his parents to a farm in Gray Township of Pipestone County, Minnesota. While living there, he attended school in District #24. When he was nine years old, he began his lifelong love of raising Hereford cattle. In 1944, he moved with his parents to a farm in Sweet Township of Pipestone County. After completing his education, he helped on the family farm. On January 19, 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served during the Korean Conflict. When he was discharged from the service on October 21, 1953, he returned to the farm. On June 29, 1957, he was united in marriage to Delores Staeffler at St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they lived on the farm in Sweet Township until his retirement in 1995. At that time, they moved into Pipestone. John passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, Minnesota, at the age of 95 years, 10 months and 12 days.

John was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone where he was baptized and confirmed. He was active in the church and served on the church board and as an usher. He was also a member of the Michael Boock American Legion Post 6, the Midland Coop Board of Directors, the American Hereford Association, and the Minnesota Hereford Association where he served as a past president. He served on the Pipestone County Fair Board for 20 years. He enjoyed showing cattle, judging livestock, and being a 4-H member and leader.

He is lovingly remembered by his three children, John A. (Joyce) Schmidt of Pipestone, Minnesota, Joan A. (Barry) Kelley of LeRaysville, Pennsylvania, and Jacqueline J. (Danny) Schaefer of Marshall, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Jenna McGunegill, Amber Seiss, Brittney Schaefer, Shelby Buchholz, Addy Louwagie, and Jason Kelley; ten great-grandchildren, Logan, Mabry, Max, Lenox and McClaine McGunegill, Piper and Brooks Seiss, Alice and Austin Schaefer and Sonny Buchholz; and sister, Kathryn (Bill) Clayton of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and brother-in-law, Terry Schutz of Hamilton, Montana. He was preceded in death by his wife, Delores A. Schmidt; his parents; his brother, Earl H. Schmidt; his sisters, Jean (Susie) Jones, Margaret Bickel, Carol Kaiser, and Marilyn Schutz; and his brothers-in-law, Wallace Jones, Murlyn Bickel and Al Kaiser.

Memorials may be directed to the St. Leo Catholic Cemetery Fund or the American Cancer Society.