James R ‘Jazz’ Schmid

James R ‘Jazz’ Schmid

James R. “Jazz” Schmid, 85, of Hastings, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014. He is now reunited with the love of his life, Pat, his wife of 57 years.

James was born July 29, 1929 in Springfield, Brown County, Minnesota, to Victoria Schmid. He was a 1948 graduate of Springfield High School. He entered the U.S. Army in 1951,  and served in Korea until 1953. James married Patricia M. Green on May 7, 1955, in Springfield. He worked as a federal meat inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for 29 years. Jim retired in 1987 and enjoyed many years of fishing, hunting, travel, sports and spending time with family and friends.

Preceded in death by his mother; wife, Patricia; and son-in-law, Ron Pettit; James is survived by daughters, Geri (Steve) Nelson, Kathy Pettit, Mary (Kevin) Myers all of Hastings, Janny (Dale Kroenke) Schmid of Park Rapids and Pam (Todd) Kasel of Hastings; 10 grandchildren; six-great-grandchildren; sister, Judy Walter of Richfield; in-laws. Jim Green, Connie Borak and Arlene Vogel.

A Memorial Mass, officiated by Father Cole Kracke, was held 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2035 West 15th St, Hastings, with visitation two hours prior to Mass. Private interment with Military Honors was held at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers were Kurt Kohn, Paul McNamara, Steve Majeski, Cal Ruedy, John Endres and Pete Karpen. 

Memorials are preferred.

Arrangements were handled by the Caturia-Smidt Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Hastings, www.caturia-smidtfh.com