Marlas Cellestine Schmidt

Marlas Schmidt, 90, of Fergus Falls, passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

Marlas Cellestine (Johansen) Schmidt was born to Jens and Alfreda (Anderson) Johansen on May 23, 1934. Marlas was baptized at Sverdrup Lutheran Church in Underwood, MN on July 3, 1934 and confirmed at Sverdrup Lutheran Church on May 16, 1948. Marlas graduated from Underwood High School on May 29, 1952. She then worked for Victor Lundeen’s in Fergus Falls while living with her sister Jeanette.

Marlas met Arnold W. Schmidt in August 1958 on a blind date. They were married on March 15, 1959, at Sverdrup Lutheran Church. Following a honeymoon to Colorado, they lived on the Schmidt family farm northwest of Fergus Falls. They were blessed with five children, Matthew, Mark, Randy, Neal, and Amy and over 52 years of marriage. Marlas was a devoted farmer’s wife and helped Arnold with chores while also cooking, baking, making jams and jellies, canning and freezing fruits and vegetables grown in her own garden or purchased by the carton. Marlas started working for the Otter Tail County Human Services Department in 1986 and retired in 2008.

Marlas was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls and spent many years as a Sunday School teacher and served on various Women’s Ministry Fellowship groups. For several years, she stuffed the weekly bulletins for the church, missionary letters for the Lutheran Brethren International Mission organization and made apple crisps for the Bethel Food Ministry program. She enjoyed the monthly Primetimer’s gatherings at Bethel and the monthly women’s group meetings held at the YMCA. Every morning, she would listen to The Morning Watch on the radio and read the Our Daily Bread devotional.

Marlas was a member of the Otter Tail County Historical Society and spent many hours in their library doing genealogical research on both her and Arnold’s family. She also enjoyed reading the newspaper, doing crossword puzzles, crocheting, and watching Minnesota Twins games. Holidays and special events of her grandchildren were important to her, and she enjoyed traveling to Colorado, Wisconsin or Litchfield or hosting a gathering at her home to celebrate them. Marlas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on April 19,2025 at 90 years of age with her family by her side.

Marlas is survived by children, Mark (Jane) Schmidt, and their children: Sarah, Rebecca (fiancé Chris James), Levi, and Grace of Darwin, MN; Randy (Heather) Schmidt of Duluth, MN; Neal (Shari) Schmidt, and their children: Austin and Ethan Mahrer and Kyler Schmidt of Fergus Falls, MN; Amy (Robert) Socha of Fergus Falls, MN; daughter-in-law, Sally Schmidt of West Bend, WI and her children, Christina and Peter; great-grandsons: Preston and Zealand Mahrer; along with several nieces and nephews.

Marlas was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold; son, Matthew Schmidt; parents, Jens and Alfreda Johansen; sister and brother-in-law Jeanette and LaVern Berg; sister and brother-in-law Hazel and Orris Torgrimson; nephew Todd Torgrimson; nephew Rickie Johansen; sister-in-law Laura (Ervin) Fanselau; sister-in-law Florence (Harold “Pat”) Hanneman; brother-in-law Harold Schmidt.

Funeral Services will be held Monday, April 28, 2025, at 11:00am with a visitation at 10:00am at the Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.