Leo "Skip" C. Schmidt

Leo C. "Skip" Schmidt, age 89, of Blakeley passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on December 11, 2012 at the Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine. Funeral Service will be 11:00 am on Friday, December 14, 2012 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine, Rev. John Zeitler officiating. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4-8pm at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine and continue one hour prior to the service at church on Friday morning. Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Belle Plaine. Leo was born in Blakeley on April 10, 1923 to Otto and Clara (Neumann) Schmidt. He attended District 63 school in Blakeley. He farmed with his Dad and Brothers until he entered the US Army in July of 1944. He served during WWII in the South Pacific as a surgical tech and was discharged in August of 1946. On April 9, 1955 he married Donna Lucht at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Arlington. Leo enjoyed helping out his kids and also spending time with his grandkids and great grandkids. He loved horses, parades, auctions, threshing bees and reading the classified ads. He also enjoyed drawing, cutting wood and bird watching. Leo farmed in Blakeley all his life and enjoyed taking care of the Blakeley community. Family members that have gone before include: Grandson: Peter Malz; Brother and sister in law: Otto "Doc" and Harriet Schmidt; Brother: Erwin Schmidt, Sister and brother in law: Evelyn and Rob Thomason; Brother in law: Merrill Kahle; Brother-in-law and Sister-in-law: Harlan and Evelyn Lucht; Nephews: Tom Schmidt and Jerry Thomason. He is survived by Wife: Donna Schmidt; Sons: Lee Schmidt (special friend, Gloria Brandt), Wayne (Sandra) Schmidt, Scott Schmidt (special friend Karen Brown), Daniel (Kristin) Schmidt; Daughters: Debra (Ralph) Malz Diane (Mark) Kes; Grandchildren: Jeanne (Jeff) Mediger, Matthew (Heather) and Angela Kes, Gregory (Kristin), Jeffrey, and Karl Schmidt, Ryan, Nicholas, and Luke Schmidt; Great Grandchildren: Preston, Bailey, and Carter Kes; Twin sister, Irene Kahle; Brother and sister in law: Evan and Bernice Schmidt; Sister in law: Catherine Schmidt; Many nieces, nephews, and friends.