To access the livestream visit https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas

It is with a heavy heart that the Schmidt family announces the passing of Dennis Richard Schmidt . He went to be with his Heavenly Father on 23 September, 2020 at 80 years of age.

Dennis was born on 8 September 1940 in Minot, North Dakota to Katie and Fred Schmidt. Dennis grew up and worked on the family farm with his sister Vernetta and brothers Harlyn and Myron. He graduated from Sawyer High School in 1958 and enlisted in the United States Air Force doing tours in Texas and Japan. After serving in the Air Force, Dennis moved back to the Midwest and married the love of his life, Ruth Schmidt (Moseng). Working in Civil service they lived in Duluth, MN and Great Falls, MT finally they settled in Sawyer, North Dakota. Then worked in civil service and sold insurance while working the family farm.

Dennis enjoyed his John Deere tractors and very much disliked his Massey 510 combine because the thing never made it through a harvest without breaking down. He would drive the John Deere 4010 that didn't have air conditioning so his boys could drive the 4430 and have the am radio and air-conditioning – he got so much joy farming with his family it didn't matter what equipment he was using.

For many years he sold insurance as an independent insurance agent with the company name of Schmidt's Insurance Agency. Dennis worked as a postmaster at both Ryder and Bowman, North Dakota. Never content with the status quo, Dennis was always trying to figure out what the next big thing was and working to get in on the ground floor of a new business venture. He co-owned Rocket Express where he drove as a hot shot trucker and his grand finale, Ruden Healthy Oils, created a bumper crop of hemp waiting to be harvested and made into hemp products and CBD oil.

Dennis was active in the community serving on the Sawyer School board, Sawyer Farmer's Elevator board and working on multiple projects and boards and as a trustee and ordained elder at Our Redeemers Lutheran Brethren Church. He had a massive rolodex of wonderful people whom he spent countless hours with at Our Redeemers. We do not consider Dennis's church friends, 'friends' – they were family to him. Thank you to our Christian Family for showing us what it means to live and love as Christ. Dennis was always generous with his time and enjoyed summer events that were run by his Steffan aunts and uncles. He loved going to all the local games and cheering for his favorite team or player.

As the older generation passed, Dad and his cousin Dave became the family patriarchs that planned and scheduled family events that centered around eating and telling old- time stories. Dennis loved his in-laws: Shirley, Ed, Cleo, Quint, Clara, John, Jim, and Bev – we are certain Dennis, Uncle Jim, Uncle John and Uncle Ed hold some record for longest visiting session covering important topics like weather, politics, and farming. Dennis enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews and was always interested in Maria, Carmen, Ryan, Fritz, Tim, Kelly, Will, and Lanetta's families and lives. It was fun to watch him spend time with his nieces and nephews – he loved the children of his sisters' and brothers' immensely and enjoyed attending their sporting events and functions. He also enjoyed visiting his military son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Shontelle, along with their grandchildren, Briella, Elise, Gideon, and Jasper.

Together, he and Ruth visited them at all 17 of their base stations. A constant source of joy to Dennis was spending time with his other son, Jon. Many trips were taken to explore Alaska and visit Jon and his dog, Zingo. In recent years, Dennis enjoyed having Jon live back in North Dakota where they could spend time together and work on projects. Dennis's greatest moments in life were spent with Ruth. Married for 55 years, their adventures in life never stopped – traveling to events, hosting gatherings, gardening, going to church and going to local high school games were their favorite things to do together. They were a perfect match, Ruth dreamed up the projects and events and Dennis was her willing partner in every endeavor. They did daily devotions together, prayed together, and always had Christ at the center of their marriage. If you want to know how to love your wife – use our beloved Dennis as an example. Dennis never let his age stop his active living. In his 70s he took on a huge undertaking and helped head up volunteer flood relief in Minot with many others to include his cousin, Curt Zimbelman who was mayor. He did a couple of missionary trips to Africa with Pastor Jennings and his church friends from the Bottineau area at age 77. Certainly Dennis would say that his missionary trip with his brother Harlyn was one of the best moments of his life – thank you, Harlyn. In the end Dennis will be remembered as a generous man who loved his wife, family and friends and worked to make our world a better place.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, brother Myron and an infant sister Nancy.

A private by invitation graveside service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m . October 12, 2020 at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot. To access the livestream visit https://www.mtmsales.net/thomas
Public Visitation: October 11, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Our Redeemer's Church, Minot. Due to pandemic, social distancing and masks are required to attend.
A Celebration of Life for Dennis will be held next summer when we are permitted to gather without restriction.

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A Note from the family:

My Dad, Dennis Schmidt, touched many lives. I am very happy and proud of my father. His faith in Jesus and the way he lived his life is an inspiration to me and many others. The response, prayers, and support for Dad during this time is overwhelming. Not only does that response tell about how my Dad was loved by everyone but it also says a lot about you! The friends and family that have been there and supporting Dad and our family. Every one of you mean a lot to Dad and our family. Thank you.

Mom and I were starting to prepare the funeral arrangements. We realized the Dad touched so many people in his life that hundreds of people would come to the funeral to support us and pay their respects to my Dad. That made us very happy and warmed our hearts.

This past month we have made some hard decision and we realized we need to make another very hard decision. Ruth, Mark and I all agreed to have a small invite-only cemetery burial. It is not what we want but it is the right thing to do.

This past month we have gone through the horror of COVID virus. We were not allowed to see Dennis in the hospital because medical staff did not want Mom and I to get the virus nor the medical staff. Instead, Mom and I could FaceTime with Dad once or twice a day. This was done to protect everyone. That was horrific to us, especially Mom. But, we honored it for the most part. Beyond the physical effects of COVID there is another horror of loneliness and isolation from loved ones in times of need. Ruth, Mark and I do not want this nightmare to happen to any other family. And, I know Dad would agree with us.

With the rise of COVID in our area and the safety of friend and family in mind we made the decision to have a small invite-only ceremony at the cemetery. Like the Doctors telling us not to see Dad in the hospital we are doing the same to save the health and maybe the life of others. The risk is too high for us to have everyone at a funeral for Dennis Schmidt. I will try to have the ceremony at the cemetery live-streamed and/or posted on the internet for all to see. I will inform all on how to view that video.

We do hope, Lord wiling, that when COVID is under control next spring or summer that we can have a "Celebration of Life" for Dennis Schmidt. At that time everyone is welcome to come and Celebrate the wonderful life that Dennis had. I will be awesome to have everyone telling their stories and experiences concerning my Dad. We pray at that time everyone can come and not have to worry about COVID.

Thank you all for your love and support of the decision of our family. The decision is hard to make but it is the right decision.

2 Timothy 4:7

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Sincerely,

Jon