Loren C. Schmidt

Loren
C.
Schmidt

Loren C. Schmidt, 92, of Springfield, died on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at St. John Lutheran Home (Hospice) in Springfield after a brief battle with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia.)  

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2016, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, followed by interment at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.

Loren Christian Schmidt was born June 30, 1923, on a farm in Posen Township, Yellow Medicine County, to Philip and Amalie (Frank) Schmidt.  To this union were also born eight more sons (Arnold, Arthur, Martin, Leroy, Vernon, Ordean, Edgar, Philip Jr.) and three daughters (Olena, Hilda and Joann).

Loren was baptized on July 1, 1923, and confirmed his faith on May 16, 1937, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Posen Township.  On July 9, 1944, he was united in marriage with Bernice L. Olson.  During WWII he served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in the Philippines.  Following the war, he attended Beauty and Barber school in Minneapolis.  Loren and Bernice moved to Springfield following completion of his education.  Over the next nearly 30 years, Loren owned and operated Loren’s Beauty and Barber in Springfield.  Shops in Comfrey and Redwood Falls were added over time with Loren traveling between the shops on a regular basis.

Having grown up on a farm, Loren enjoyed raising and training horses and did so for over 60 years, selling them throughout the U.S.  Never having lost his love of farming, Loren purchased an 80-acre farm in 1964, which he operated for over 50 years.  He later purchased a 160-acre farm near Lamberton which he operated for over 40 years.  Loren sold the beauty and barber shop in December 1975 and was then able to farm full time.  He did, however, maintain his barber and beauty licenses and continued to offer his services on a volunteer basis.

After Bernice’s death in 1984, Loren built a home on the 80-acre farm, where he lived for the remainder of his life.

Loren married Edith Anderson of Tracy on September 28, 1986, and they made their home on the farm and also spent winters in San Felipe, Mexico, where they had built a home.  After Edith’s death in 2012, Loren continued to divide his time between Minnesota and Mexico until shortly before his death.

In addition to Loren’s love of farming and horses, he participated in many activities.  He was a member of the American Legion and was a volunteer fireman for the city of Springfield for many years.  He loved dancing, antiquing, and corn husking and horse shoe competitions, all of which he continued to participate in well into his 80s and 90s.

Loren was preceded in death by his parents; Bernice, his first wife and mother of his three children; Edith, his second wife; four brothers and two sisters.  He is survived by his three children: Gary (Jan) Schmidt of Dunkirk, Maryland; Paul Schmidt of Sandy, Utah and Kathy Fodness of Northglenn, Colorado; grandsons, Patrick (Andrezza) and Matthew of Rockville, Md.; and granddaughter, Kelly Fodness of Northglenn, Colo.;  step-children, Debra (Duane) Helleson of Faribault, Kathryn Klein of Shakopee, Dale (Brenda) Klein of Paynesville, and Ted (Leslie) Klein of St. Bonifacius; seven step-grandchildren and six step-great grandchildren.  He is also survived by siblings, Leroy of Wood Lake, Ordean of Glenwood, Edgar of Danbury, Wisc., Philip Schmidt Jr. of Wood Lake, and Joann Willhite of Woodbury; sisters-in-law, Helen (Robert) Lerohl of Sacred Heart, and Beverly (Ray) Frankenfield of Minnetonka; brother-in-law, Donald Anderson of Cheney, Wash.; and sister-in-law, Carolyn (Don) Engelkes of Tracy.

Following the memorial service, family and friends are invited to attend a dinner to be held at Jackpot Junction Casino (Banquet Room) between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2016.

Springfield Advance-Press

13 S. Marshall Avenue PO Box 78 Springfield, MN 56087

507-723-4225