Melvin Schmidt
May 1, 1924-Feb. 10, 2017
Melvin Walter Schmidt,
92, Minot and formerly of
Martin, died on Friday,
February 10, 2017, in a
Minot healthcare center.
Melvin was born on
May 1, 1924, on a farm
near Martin, ND, to Emil
and Lydia (Dockter)
Schmidt. He was reared
on the family farm and at-
tended school in Martin.
Melvin graduated from
Martin High School in
1944 and continued his
education at the Minot
Business College, where
he received specialized
training in business relat-
ed subjects.
Mel entered the U.S.
Army on October 23,
1944, at Fort Snelling, MN
and served with the 27th
Infantry Regiment of the
25th Infantry Division un-
til honorably discharged
as a Staff Sergeant on No-
vember 23, 1946, at Fort
Lewis, WA. His military
service included partici-
pation in the Philippine
Campaign (Luzon) and the
occupation of Japan. He
earned the Combat Infan-
tryman Badge and several
other service awards and
medals.
Mel married Gloria Rust
on June 13, 1948, in
Anamoose, ND. They
made their home in
Anamoose prior to mov-
ing to Minot in 1950,
where Mel was employed
by Northern States Power
(NSP) Telephone Com-
pany. Mel retired as Tele-
phone Installation Super-
intendent in 1986. Gloria
died on October 23, 2000.
Mel was proud to be
named Outstanding Play-
er of the 1948 Cathay
Gold Medal basketball
tournament. He was the
last surviving charter
member of Immanuel
Baptist Church and a
member of the Minot Cur-
ling Club. Mel was a
member of the two-time
North Dakota senior state
championship curling
team. He served on the
board of directors of the
Tel-U-Watt Federal Credit
Union for 51 years. In ad-
dition to curling he espe-
cially enjoyed visiting
friends and family, read-
ing and church activities.
Mel has a multitude of
friends in San Antonio,
TX. His travels took him
to Mexico, Guatemala,
and Belize. His warmth
and good humor are
legendary. Mel is beloved
and will be dearly missed
by many.
Mel’s loving family in-
cludes his children:
Timothy (Jan) Schmidt of
Frisco, TX, David (Mimi)
Schmidt of San Antonio
TX, Daniel (Peggy)
Schmidt of Bismarck,
Karen Schmidt of St.
Joseph MO, and Randy
Schmidt of Minot; eleven
grandchildren: Andrea,
Brian, Catarina, Santiago,
Kelsi, Libby, Jamie, Emma
Gossett, R. Charles Gos-
sett, Tommy, and Kelli;
great-grandchildren: Evan,
Carson, Nathan, Emerson,
Rita, Tommy, Adison,
Mackenzie, and Jackson;
brother: Leroy Schmidt of
Minot; and numerous
nieces, nephews and
cousins.
Mel was preceded in
death by his parents, wife
and brothers: Emery, El-
mer, Raymond, Leo, Ar-
nold and Dale.
Celebration of the Life
of Mel Schmidt: Tuesday,
February 14, 2017, at 2:00
p.m. in Immanuel Baptist
Church, Minot.
Interment will be in
Rosehill Memorial Park,
Minot.
Visitation: Monday
from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00
p.m. in Immanuel Baptist
Church.
Memorials are pre-
ferred to Immanuel Bap-
tist Church in lieu of
flowers.
Those wishing to sign
the online memorial regis-
ter or share memories and
condolences are invited to
use the expressions of
sympathy section at
www.thomasfamily
funeralhome.com.
(Thomas Family Fun-
eral Home, Minot)