Fred John Schmidt , 94, Minot and Fessenden, died Monday, April 17, 2017 in a CHI Care Center in Turtle Lake.

Fred was born February 21, 1923 at Fessenden, North Dakota the son of Daniel and Dorothea (Reiner) Schmidt. He was raised and educated at Fessenden and graduated from Fessenden High School in 1941. At the early age of 11, he was given the task of delivering milk to the local residents.

Fred enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps on September 8, 1942. He participated in the Pacific Theatre of World War II and was involved in the initial invasion force at Iwo Jima, Saipan, Tinian and Roi Namur of the Pacific. He was wounded in action and received two Purple Heart for his distinguished service. He received his honorable discharge on January 4, 1946 as a corporal.

Fred returned to North Dakota and was united in marriage to J. Olive Kro on June 13, 1947 at Fessenden. They made their home in Fessenden, where he sold cars farm implement equipment and served as a rural mail carrier for the US Postal service. They moved to Jud, ND in 1977 for six years, before returning to Fessenden to continue work as a rural mail carrier, along with managing McKinnon's Furniture Store. Fred and Olive moved to Minot in 1990. She died in 2007. Fred had recently moved to the CHI Health Center in Turtle Lake.

In addition to his many duties, Fred became a Lay Pastor and ministered in Sheyenne, ND, visitation Pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot and Trinity Bethany Lutheran Church in Harvey, ND. He also served as the Frank Proisl American Legion Post Chaplain for a number of years. He had also served as the ND American Legion State Chaplain for several years.

He was a member of Christ Lutheran Church, Minot. Throughout the years, Fred enjoyed reading along with ministering to many. His kindness and caring touched many lives throughout the years. May God bless his loving memory. The family would like to thank the staff at CHI Health Care Center for their care and support these past months.

Fred's loving family includes , children, Fred A. (Karen) Schmidt, Bismarck, ND; Carmen (David) Bachmeier, Minot; 6 grandchildren, Jeremy (Brooke) Schmidt, Jason Schmidt, Darren (April) Schmidt, Corbin Bachmeier and his special friend, Jessica, Cullin (Sharon) Bachmeier and Creighton Bachmeier and fiance, MacKenzie; 7 Great grandchildren, Bryn and Lucas Schmidt, Huck Schmidt, Aidan, Archie & Elizabeth Bachmeier; step-grandson, Caleb Schuck; special friend who was like a daughter, Brenda Lloyd; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, wife; granddaughter, Cassandra; brothers, Ernest, Arthur, Ervin, Herbert, Daniel and his twin, Gottfried; sisters, Bertha, Ida, Lora, Virginia, Lillian, Alvena, Rose, Mary and an unnamed infant brother.

Celebration of Life service : Friday, April 21, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in Christ Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment : Friday at 3:00 p.m. at the ND Veterans Cemetery, Rural Mandan, ND.
Visitation : Thursday, April 20th from 2:00-5:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials: preferred to Christ Lutheran Church, ND Veterans Cemetery or to the Western ND Synod Pastor Scholarship Fund.