Stanley Schmidt

Stanley J. "Dan" Schmidt, age 83 of Elrosa, died Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 2 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa with Rev. Mark Stang officiating. A private inurnment will be in the parish cemetery at a later date. Military Honors provided by the Sauk Centre United Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Stanley Joseph Schmidt was born March 22, 1929 in Elrosa, Minnesota to Albert and Clara (Kleinschmidt) Schmidt. Dan served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On September 7, 1953 he married Bernice Lindner at St. John's Catholic Church in Meire Grove. Dan began his working career shoveling coal from box cars during the depression and remembered catching chickens in exchange for groceries. Over the course of 41 years, Dan then worked his way up from employee to manager to owner of the Elrosa Elevator. He farmed part-time, was co-owner of B&S Grain and Feed in Farwell, and the St. Martin and Elrosa Lumber Yards. He was also a highly "unsuccessful" hog farmer. He took pride in building his business, and loved taking risks and making deals.

Dan was a devoted, extremely hardworking man who was dedicated to providing for his family. One of his mottos was "Work first, play later." Dan enjoyed egg coffee, a good tall drink, cigars, going to the casino, playing pull tabs and BINGO. He loved his family and his friends, especially his grandchildren. In his later years, the fog of memory loss diminished his recollections, but never clouded his sense of humor. He remained a joker until his final days.

He was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Elrosa, former Trustee and Parish Council member, volunteer firefighter for the Elrosa Fire Department, American Legion Post 67 in Sauk Centre, and the Elrosa Senior Citizens.

Survivors include his children, Jean Zenzen of Melrose, Ruth (Rick) Schroeder of St. Cloud, Cindy Schmidt of Plymouth, Gail (Kevin) Seifermann of Foley, Perry (Anne) Schmidt of Medina, Peggy (Charlie) Eisenreich of St. Cloud, and Sam (Jacque) Schmidt of Salt Lake City, Utah; 19 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren and one on the way.

Dan was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice Schmidt on December 21, 2005; parents; grandchildren, Molly Schmidt and Lindsay Zenzen; brothers, Elmer Schmidt and Vernie Schmidt; and son-in-law, Rueben Zenzen.

Serving as casket bearers will be Michael Schmidt, Andrew Eisenreich, Jamey Zenzen, Tyler Schroeder, Cole Weller, Matthew Seifermann, Brent Weller, and Adam Schmidt. Cross bearer will be Anna Schmidt and scripture bearer will be Emma Schmidt. Readers will be Ashley Schroeder and Kia Weller and gift bearers will be Megan Schmidt, Ellen Schmidt, and Emily Schmidt. Pall bearers will be Briana Worms, Katie Seifermann, Amanda Schroeder, and Samantha Eisenreich.