Dr. Mark A. Schmidt, 54, Fargo, formerly of Max, passed away Thursday, September 17, 2009, in a Fargo hospital. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 22, at 2 p.m. at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Max. Burial will be at the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held today, September 21, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home in Garrison.

Mark was born May 23, 1955, to Edwin and Dellora (Fischer) Schmidt in Minot, N.D. He was raised and educated in Max, graduating from Max High School in 1973. He attended college at NDSU-Bottineau before transferring to NDSU, where he received his master's degree. He then received his Doctorate from Florida State-Tallahassee. Mark started his career in education teaching high school students at Minot High, Walhalla, and Bisbee, where he was also active as the FFA advisor. Mark was once married to Lynell Grosz. From this union came their daughter, Carie Ann.

Mark started teaching college in 1995 at the Tri-College University in Fargo-Moorhead. He was an assistant professor in the education doctoral program at NDSU, Fargo, from 2000 to 2009. Mark was instrumental in developing NDSU's doctoral program in education. He excelled in teaching applied statistics in the institutional analysis program. He readily lent his assistance to students, faculty, and the university.

Mark married Rita Neirby on March 13, 2009. They made their home in Fargo. When Mark wasn't teaching, he spent time gardening and canning and was a member of the El Zagal Shrine in Fargo and was also very active in the Minot Jaycees and the North Dakota State Jaycees. Most of all Mark loved spending time with his three granddaughters who brought him endless joy.

Mark is survived by: his wife, Rita, Fargo; daughter, Carie (J.R.) Lium, Minot, 3 granddaughters, Hannah, Hailey, and Helena Lium, all of Minot, parents, Ed and Dellora, of Max; stepchildren, Samantha and Adam Neirby, Fargo, sister, Bonnie (Keith) Johnson, Hazen; brother, Bruce (Ranae) Schmidt, Beulah; nieces and nephews, Sara ( Ryan) Deichert, Bismarck, Amy Schmidt, Mandan, Tyler Schmidt, Beulah, Katie Johnson, Fargo, Aaron Johnson, Bismarck; aunt, Marlys Opheim, Bismarck; uncle, Chalmer (Jan) Fischer, Littleton, Colo.; cousins, Bradley (Corie) Haugeberg, Minot, Jarvis (Darcy) Haugeberg, Huron, S.D., Ross (Jan) Haugeberg, Lisbon, and Bradley Fischer, Littleton, Colo.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Waldo and Frieda Schmidt, and maternal grandparents, Lydia and Edward Fischer.

To sign the online register, go to (www.garrisonthompson.com).