Anton A. Schmidt, 88, Dickinson, died Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, at his home.
Anton's Mass of Christian Burial is at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Dickinson with the Rev. Dennis Schafer as the celebrant and assisted by Deacon Bob Stockert.
Interment follows at St. Joseph's Cemetery with military honors provided by the Veterans Drill Team. Visitation is from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson. There will be a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m. today with Deacon Bob Stockert presiding.
Anton was born June 30, 1919, in Dunn County one of nine children of Adam and Eva (Leingang) Schmidt. He was raised and educated in this area having received an eigth grade education. Anton at the age of 16 spent six months with the CCC's, a program that was designed to help farmers. Both of his parents had died by the time he was 17 years old.
Anton left home to serve in the United States Army with the 349th Infantry Co. during World War II, from July 16, 1942, to his honorable discharge on Oct. 8, 1945. He returned home and farmed with his brother Mike on the homestead northeast of Dickinson in Dunn County.
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On Oct. 4, 1949, Anton married Betty Ridl at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, New Hradec. In 1952 they purchased a farm north of Gladstone where they raised their three children.
They retired from the farm in 1991 when they moved into Dickinson. Betty died on Aug. 27, 1995. On June 1, 2000, Anton married Caroline Klein. He continued to help his son Richard on the farm until the early part of 2007 when he became ill with cancer.
While living north of Gladstone, he was active on the school and elevator boards. Anton was a member of the St. Anthony Club, Eagles, and the Knights of Columbus.
At a young age Anton showed an interest in clocks and fixing things. While in the service he discovered that he had a talent for fixing and maintaining machines. Over the years he has fixed numerous clocks, put many smiles on the faces of children for fixing up their bikes, and he has solved many vehicle and farm equipment problems. He loved music and enjoyed playing the banjo and accordion. Anton was a kind and gentle man who enjoyed being able to help people. His true love was his family and they were very blessed to have had him in their lives.
Anton is survived by his wife, Caroline; his children, Diane (Allen) Brost, Dickinson, Richard (Polly) Schmidt, Gladstone, and Connie (Scotty) Fay, Williston; step-children, Bonnie Klein, Michigan, Cheryl (Loran) Tschaekofske, St. Cloud, Minn., Kathy (Rick) Deutscher, Sheperd, Mont., MaryAnn Klein, Dickinson, Caroline Marie Klein, Dickinson, Kevin (Dina) Klein, Dickinson, Patrick (Susan) Klein, Normandy Park, Wash., and Allen (Teresa) Klein, Dickinson; five grandchildren; 14 step-grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, six step-great-grandchildren; his sister and brother, Mary (Butch) Bullinger, Grenada, Calif., and Louie (Mary) Schmidt, Dickinson; sister-in-law, Katie Schmidt, Washington; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty; his parents; brothers, Joe Kuhn, Casper Schmidt, Mike Schmidt and Pete Schmidt; sisters, Katie Bernhardt and Lillian Klein; and one stepdaughter, Antonette Kanoff.
Arrangements are with Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, www.ladburyfuneralservice.com .
