Emma Schmidt, 98, Minot and formerly of Sawyer died on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 in a Minot nursing home.

Emma was born on October 7, 1910 on a farm near Mercer, ND to Theobald and Margaret (Degg) Hofer who were both of German descent. She was reared and educated in Wise Township of McLean County north of Mercer, ND. As a young adult she was employed as a housekeeper in the Mercer area.

Emma married Rudolph Schmidt on April 6, 1930 in Peace Lutheran Church - Mercer where she was also baptized and confirmed. They made their home on a farm in Brillian Township of Ward County six miles south of Sawyer, ND. They moved into Sawyer in 1971. Rudolph died on January 3, 1984. Emma moved to Minot in 1997.

Emma was a member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church - Sawyer since 1972 and a former member of Hope Lutheran Church - rural Sawyer for more than 40 years where she taught Bible School. She also served as a 4-H leader. She especially enjoyed quilting, crocheting, sewing and reading.

Her loving family includes her children: Elaine (Gordon) Lubbers of Laurel, MT, JoAnn (Elloide) Marschall of Max, ND, James (Sharon) Schmidt of Greshem, OR, and Eloise Krueger of Minot; daughter-in-law: Donna Schmidt of Minot; twenty-one grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; sisters: Polly Retzloff of Startup, WA, Jean Kringen and Martha Lang, both of Minot and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Emma was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son: Elroy, son-in-law: Waldo Krueger, sisters: Emelia Schauer and Bertha Russ, brothers: Otto and Art Hofer and brothers-in-law: Ed Retzloff, Kenneth Kringen, Sam Russ, John Schauer and Warren Lang.

Funeral Service: Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. in St. Peter's Lutheran Church - Sawyer.
Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens - Minot.
Visitation: Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Sawyer or an organization of the donor's choice.