Marlene "Molly" Schmidt

Marlene (“Molly”) Joyce Liedman Schmidt died unexpectedly on December 18th, 2025 at the St. Cloud Hospital at the age of 90. A service to remember and celebrate Marlene’s life will be on Saturday, February 7 at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be prior to the service from 10:00 AM to noon, with the service at 12:00 PM. A light fellowship lunch will follow the service. Memorials may be directed to: The Bond Between animal rescue organization or to Minnesota Public Radio, at The Bond Between Memorials or Minnesota Public Radio Memorial Donations.

Marlene was born on October 19, 1935, on the family farm in Grove City, Minnesota, to parents George and Margaret Liedman. After graduating from Grove City High School in 1953, Marlene began her time at St. Olaf College, a place that would remain special to her forever. It was there that Marlene met and became engaged to John D. Schmidt of Granite Falls. While John was in the Navy, Marlene worked as a probate clerk at the Meeker County Courthouse. They were married on June 14, 1958 in Grove City.

Eventually, Marlene returned to school to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. She commuted to St. Cloud State University for two years, and in 1979, she received her degree. Marlene worked as an elementary teacher for 19 years before retiring from the Litchfield School District.

Marlene and John spent their wonderful life together in Litchfield, a community they loved for over 67 years. They had three children: Kari, Johnnie, and Stephanie. In 1974, they lost their precious daughter Kari, age 12, after an eight year battle with leukemia. The memory of Kari’s sweet spirit remained a guiding light throughout the rest of Marlene’s life.

Marlene loved classical and choral music, singing in church choir and as a soloist for many years. Her children were raised with Minnesota Public Radio playing in the background of their home. Many people will remember her for her joy in celebrating Christmas and all of its Scandinavian traditions. She loved family gatherings, coffee and dinner parties with friends, and regularly socializing with her “teacher group” - the dear friends she made during her years at Ripley School. Her legacy remains from her volunteering at Zion and with organizations like the Litchfield Jaycees.

From an early age, Marlene loved travel – and as often as possible, the Schmidt family went on trips. Her favorite destinations were Europe (in particular, visiting family in Norway), Florida, the Southwest, the Rocky Mountains, and Martha’s Vineyard. Their inviting home was filled with special items that she collected during their travels over the years.

Marlene loved the outdoors; she was an avid gardener and celebrated nature’s beauty everywhere she went. Her love for animals was profound and she had room in her heart for all creatures, big or small. The backyard squirrels enjoyed daily peanuts and sunflower seeds, as did the birds she fed yearlong. Her grandchildren’s earliest memories are of Nana’s sense of humor, how she told stories and listened to theirs, their warm and inviting home, and her respect and reverence for all living things.

Marlene is survived by John, her loving husband of 67 years; two children, Johnnie Schmidt and Stephanie Johnson; and three grandchildren, Elsa Schmidt, Nina Johnson, and Leif Johnson. Marlene is also survived by her sister, Sonia Liedman Niedenthal, and her husband, Jeffrey Niedenthal, as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Kari, her parents (George and Margaret Liedman), two sisters (Elaine Arndt and Barbara Thompson), and her brother (Stanley Liedman). Beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, teacher, and friend, Marlene left an indelible impression of warmth and kindness on all who knew her.