1924
Alvin
2015
Alvin Schmidt
May 21, 1924 — March 21, 2015
Remembering the 90 year life of Alvin Schmidt...
Alvin Schmidt was born on May 21, 1924 to Herman and Ida (Haarstick) Schmidt in Fergus Falls, MN. Herman was born in Valderwin, Germany in 1882. Ida was born in Fergus Falls in 1888. Alvin attended School District #92 in Fergus Falls Township. He lived on the family farm north of Fergus Falls with his two older brothers Morris and Howard and his sister Mildred. The farm had a dairy herd and a team of draft houses. He had over 20 cousins who lived nearby.
Alvin enlisted in the US Army early in 1945 and served in Japan primarily as a transport driver. He was Honorably Discharged in late 1946. On May 21, 1950 he married Lila Thompson in Fergus Falls. Lila was born in 1928 in Fergus Falls and her parents were Henry and Ella Thompson of Fergus Falls. Alvin and Lila lived with Lila's parents for the first five years of their marriage. They purchased a farm in 1955 along the Ottertail River southwest of Fergus Falls. They raised two children on the farm. Calvin was born in 1954 and Keith was born in 1955. They had 40 head of dairy cattle until 1964 and Alvin and his sons farmed several farms including the family farm. Alvin was an Orwell township 4-H leader, served on the Buse Township board for 30 years, and on the Township Officers Association of Otter Tail County.
During and after his farming years Alvin drove transport trucks for Mid Am Dairy for 14 years, Fosse Transport during the winters, Nelson Ford & Dodge of Fergus, Fergus Falls Small Engines, and was an independent driver with his own tandem truck for many years hauling grain for farmers and elevators. Alvin continued to drive cars and trucks commercially into his late 80's.
Alvin and Lila moved away from the family farm after retiring and built a home in Fergus Falls in 1999 which Lila designed. Alvin enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, and going to local car races and watching NASCAR on television. He also enjoyed digging fields for his neighbors Mike and Butch Loomer in the fall, and he took a lot of pride in his lawn and garden. Alvin was a member of the Classic Car Club. He and Lila purchased an antique car which they restored and drove in parades. They traveled extensively in the US and Mexico in a travel trailer and also spent winters in Mesa AZ where they owned a trailer in a retirement park. They also went on cruises in Hawaii and the Caribbean and traveled throughout Europe by car and tour bus as well as traveling by river boat in isolated portions of Indonesia.
Alvin was known as a hard worker and dedicated family man who was physically active beyond his years. he was a members of Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls and later a member of Bethel Church in Fergus Falls. Alvin passed away on March 21, 2015 after battling a lung problem.
Alvin is survived by his son Keith of Fergus Falls, his nephews Lowell (Janet) Schmidt and Wayne (Lisa) Schmidt both from the Twin Cities, and nieces Joy Alvares of Potomac MD, Lyn Shaw of Phoenix AZ, and Brenda (Lyle) Ripley of Midway UT. He was preceded in death by his brothers and sister, his wife Lila in 2008, his son Calvin of Moorhead MN in 2011, by Lyn's husband Larry Shaw, and by Joy's husband Dr. Alvito Alvares.
Alvin Schmidt will be missed by all the people whose life he touched.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.
Visitation: Thursday, March 26, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.
Burial: Knollwood Memorial Gardens for family members following the visitation.
Alvin Schmidt was born on May 21, 1924 to Herman and Ida (Haarstick) Schmidt in Fergus Falls, MN. Herman was born in Valderwin, Germany in 1882. Ida was born in Fergus Falls in 1888. Alvin attended School District #92 in Fergus Falls Township. He lived on the family farm north of Fergus Falls with his two older brothers Morris and Howard and his sister Mildred. The farm had a dairy herd and a team of draft houses. He had over 20 cousins who lived nearby.
Alvin enlisted in the US Army early in 1945 and served in Japan primarily as a transport driver. He was Honorably Discharged in late 1946. On May 21, 1950 he married Lila Thompson in Fergus Falls. Lila was born in 1928 in Fergus Falls and her parents were Henry and Ella Thompson of Fergus Falls. Alvin and Lila lived with Lila's parents for the first five years of their marriage. They purchased a farm in 1955 along the Ottertail River southwest of Fergus Falls. They raised two children on the farm. Calvin was born in 1954 and Keith was born in 1955. They had 40 head of dairy cattle until 1964 and Alvin and his sons farmed several farms including the family farm. Alvin was an Orwell township 4-H leader, served on the Buse Township board for 30 years, and on the Township Officers Association of Otter Tail County.
During and after his farming years Alvin drove transport trucks for Mid Am Dairy for 14 years, Fosse Transport during the winters, Nelson Ford & Dodge of Fergus, Fergus Falls Small Engines, and was an independent driver with his own tandem truck for many years hauling grain for farmers and elevators. Alvin continued to drive cars and trucks commercially into his late 80's.
Alvin and Lila moved away from the family farm after retiring and built a home in Fergus Falls in 1999 which Lila designed. Alvin enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, and going to local car races and watching NASCAR on television. He also enjoyed digging fields for his neighbors Mike and Butch Loomer in the fall, and he took a lot of pride in his lawn and garden. Alvin was a member of the Classic Car Club. He and Lila purchased an antique car which they restored and drove in parades. They traveled extensively in the US and Mexico in a travel trailer and also spent winters in Mesa AZ where they owned a trailer in a retirement park. They also went on cruises in Hawaii and the Caribbean and traveled throughout Europe by car and tour bus as well as traveling by river boat in isolated portions of Indonesia.
Alvin was known as a hard worker and dedicated family man who was physically active beyond his years. he was a members of Zion Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls and later a member of Bethel Church in Fergus Falls. Alvin passed away on March 21, 2015 after battling a lung problem.
Alvin is survived by his son Keith of Fergus Falls, his nephews Lowell (Janet) Schmidt and Wayne (Lisa) Schmidt both from the Twin Cities, and nieces Joy Alvares of Potomac MD, Lyn Shaw of Phoenix AZ, and Brenda (Lyle) Ripley of Midway UT. He was preceded in death by his brothers and sister, his wife Lila in 2008, his son Calvin of Moorhead MN in 2011, by Lyn's husband Larry Shaw, and by Joy's husband Dr. Alvito Alvares.
Alvin Schmidt will be missed by all the people whose life he touched.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred.
Visitation: Thursday, March 26, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Glende-Nilson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.
Burial: Knollwood Memorial Gardens for family members following the visitation.
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