Armin Schmidt

Armin Albert Schmidt, 82, passed away Dec. 1, 2005, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.

He was born Dec. 13, 1922, in Mehurin Township, Marietta, Minn., to John and Theresa (Krengel) Schmidt.

He grew up on the family farm with his parents and 11 other brothers and sisters. During the Depression, he and his brothers bought the first family car with money they had saved from trapping. He graduated from Marietta High School in 1941.

Armin married Alvera Mae Hillman on April 2, 1944. The family moved to Kalispell in 1968, when Alvera received a teaching position with the Kalispell Public Schools. Armin worked many jobs after the move to Montana — salesman and maintenance at Montgomery Ward, in a car body shop, cooking in a restaurant, Mild Fence Co., and selling kitchenware and glassware to local restaurants.

He retired in 1987 and took on the full-time position as Grandpa. Armin and Alvera loved camping with their friends and the Moose Camp Club, and hunting at Grass Range was always priority one in the fall.

Armin was involved in the Lions Club, Kalispell Eagles Lodge and the Kalispell Moose Lodge, for which he was an officer for many years.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Alvera, on April 17, 2004; his parents; brothers Dietrich Schmidt, Henry Schmidt, Lester Schmidt and Ray Schmidt; and sisters Irene Christensen and Louise Hacker.

He is survived by daughters Rhonda Farmer and husband Don, of Revillo, S.D., Becky Schmidt, of Kalispell, and Ranell Schlatter and husband Phil, of Centreville, Va.; son Rodney Schmidt and wife Debbie, of Whitefish; grandchildren Jason, Janessa, Josh, Kristy, Kali, Jessica, Peter and Stasia; great granddaughter Alexia; brothers Winfred Schmidt and wife Lyla, Victor Schmidt and wife Ruth, and Eldon Schmidt and wife Barb; sisters Ruth Ross and husband Bob, and Rhoda Wittnebel and husband Jerry; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Dec. 7, 2005, at Calvary Lutheran Church, with Pastor Kurk Rau officiating. Burial followed at Glacier Memorial Gardens

The family suggests donations go to the Evergreen Fire Department, Attn. Craig, P.O. Box 5008, Kalispell MT 59903, or Calvary Lutheran Church, Attn. Pastor Rau, 2200 U.S. 2 East, Kalispell MT 59901, or the charity of donor's choice.