Catherine Ann Schmidt

Catherine Ann Therese (Trimbo) Schmidt was the first child born to Veronica (Schuman) and Benjamin Trimbo on July 24, 1934, in Blakeley, MN. She died peacefully at age 89 on September 24, 2023 at her apartment at Kingsway Retirement Living. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at St. John-Assumption Catholic Church. Fr. Michael Kaluza will officiate. Visitation will be held Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine from 4-7 P.M. Interment in Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery, following interment, luncheon at St. John Lutheran Church.

At an early age (8), Catherine lost her father. She and her mother continued to run the Blakeley Store with her siblings. The Blakeley Store was her “best life” It was hard work, but her village was filled with friends and family.  She attended sister school at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Belle Plaine. She graduated in the top of her class from Belle Plaine High School in 1952. Shortly after graduation, her mother passed. Catherine had begun college at Mankato and left school to run the family store and care for her siblings with her stepfather, Artie Schmidt.

Catherine married Erwin R. Schmidt on February 16, 1953. He was the love of her life. Together, they ran the store until 1965 when they moved “uphill” to the farm. She and Erwin were dairy and crop farmers until Erwin died in 1987. They had 34 great years and she never considered anyone else.

She continued to farm for several years with son, Ron. She also worked at the TLHA. She had early years as a nurse aide at the nursing home and then later, 20 plus years at Hope Residence as a direct service professional. She retired at age 74. Catherine loved to read, garden, mow lawn, drive, build fires, and most of all, spend time with family. She was very active with her church, including a faithful gravy maker at the festival and years of singing in the choir. She told it like it is and always tried to help those in need.

Erwin and Catherine had six children, 5 girls and one son. Carol (Mike) Wentworth; Ron Schmidt; Mary (Scott) Lundborg; Sally (Allen) Koepp; her angel, Ann (Paul) Hennen, Pam (Kevin) Koepp. Family friend, David Mueller, was her add-on son. She is survived by her brother, Paul Trimbo Frazee, MN; brother-in-law, James Rivard from New Jersey; 24 grandchildren, & 47 great-grandchildren. She was anticipating her first great-great grandchild and had many special nieces and nephews and extended family, especially Lee Schmidt and Diane Borchardt. She is proceeded in death by her parents, her stepfather, Artie Schmidt, sister Mary, daughter Ann, several sisters and brother-in laws, extended family and friends Evelyn Mueller, Shirley Karg, and Rita Savage.

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