Martha Schmidt

Martha G. Schmidt, age 94, of Melrose, died Sunday, November 4, 2007 at the Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday November 9, 2007 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa with Rev. Roger Klassen OSB officiating. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

Friends may call 4 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 8 to 10 a.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. St. Rosa Christian Mothers, Freeport Senior Citizens, and the Melrose VFW Auxiliary will pray at 5 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 8 p.m. on Thursday evening.

Martha Schmidt was born on March 27, 1913 near Glenwood, Minnesota to Frank and Sebella (Arzdorf) Billmeyer. She was baptized in Glenwood. As a young child she moved with her family to Sauk Centre. She grew up on the Billmeyer family farm at Sauk Centre. She attended Stearns Todd County School District number 85 and 60 completing eight grades in six years. She received her first Holy Communion and was confirmed at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. She was united in marriage to Anton "Tony" Schmidt on November 23, 1944 at the Portland Army Air Base Chapel.Coming from a family of all girls, she learned how to do field work from her father. She worked at the Elgin Watch Company in Aurora, Illinois before moving to St. Paul, Minnesota. During the Great Depression her jobs were often difficult but she felt happy to have a job. At the start of World War II she built gliders for Vellum Box and Lumber in St. Paul. Later she worked for Pendelton Woolen Mills in Portland, Oregon. Following World War II, she and her husband Tony bought a farm north of Freeport, Minnesota and became dairy farmers. It became her home for the next 58 years of her life. This is where she raised her family of six children. She was a wife, mother, homemaker, and all around provider to support her family.She continued to live on the family farm until she was 90 years of age when she moved to Rose View Manor in Melrose. She always left an impression on people with her desire to improve her surroundings and make living safer and more enjoyable for all people. She especially enjoyed making quilts for various family members.She was a life long member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa. She belonged to the St. Rosa Christian Mothers, Central Minnesota Senior Citizen Federation, Freeport Senior Citizens, and the Melrose VFW Auxiliary.

Survivors include her children, John Schmidt and his wife, Meg of Fergus Falls, Isabelle Schmidt of Cambridge, Peter Schmidt and his wife, Joanie of Big Lake, Janet Rosen and her husband, Warren of Vancouver, Washington, Donald E. Schmidt and his wife Marlene of Hoffman, Daniel Schmidt of Harrison, Tennessee; 18 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Anton "Tony" Schmidt on October 19, 1972; sisters, Anna Billmeyer, Marie Wilgen, and Frances Schuman.

Serving as casket bearers, cross bearer, scripture bearer, lectors, and gift bearers will be her grandchildren Timothy Schmidt, Angela Whitney, Christopher Schmidt, Jason Schmidt, Heather O'Neal, Amy Jo Capko, Kateri Watson, Mark Schmidt, Terry Schmidt, Tony Schmidt, Michael Schmidt, Josh Schmidt, Sarah Schmidt, and Amanda Schmidt. She is fondly remembered by her grandchildren Michael Rosen, Justina Cruz, April Looney, and Luke Rosen who are not able to fully participate in the final arrangements.