Harley Schmidt

Minot

Harley Schmidt, 83, lifelong resident of Minot, ND, passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at Trinity Hospital.

Harley was born February 19, 1939, son of Jack and Rosalia (Schloer) Schmidt in Minot, ND where he was raised and educated. He graduated Minot Model High School.

He married Gloria Renz on July 1, 1962 in Minot. Except for their first year of marriage when they lived in Bismarck, they have since made their home in Minot where they raised their three children Mary, Karen, and Mark.

Harley started Harley’s Arrowhead Standard in 1964, originally on the corner of Burdick and Main St, southeast corner of where the new Minot City Hall is located. In 1969, Harley moved his business over to its current location where he grew the business from a modest beginning to the all-encompassing facility it is today in southwest Minot where he and two of his children ran an active operation of the business.

Harley’s greatest passion was his work. His hobbies included spending time with his dog Izzy, spending time at Harley’s overseeing daily operations, and complaining about his kids and grandkids. Most recently, he could be found playing pinochle with his friends and customers every day in the corner.

Harley had a huge heart and always wanted to see people succeed. He was supportive of so many and was genuinely interested in people’s lives. Everyone you meet has a Harley story. He made everyone feel like they weren’t a stranger.

At Harley’s request, he wished for his ashes to be placed in the gas station and service center so he could watch over the employees doing their job, to make sure the customers were still coming through the door, and to watch the morning coffee crew before work.

His loving family includes: children, Mary Dittus (Brett Cleveland), Minot, ND; Karen (Marty) Cederstrom, Centennial, Colorado; and Mark (Nicole) Schmidt, Minot, ND; eight grandchildren, Brittany (Brandon) Valdez, Andrew (Toni) Dittus, Kayla (Josh) Hohn, Morgan (Jacob) Willard, Lexi, Austin, Noah, and Mandy Schmidt; great-grandchildren, Carson and Hailee Valdez, Jaelyn Cooley, Cohen and Hayes Dittus, and Hudson Hohn.

Harley was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria; parents, Jack and Rosalia; grandson, Evan brothers, Rick, Merlyn and Lonnie; sister, Thelva Hanson.

Visitation: Saturday, January 7, 2023 from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials: are preferred to Minot Public School Foundation Harley’s Angels Project to support children in need through the year and especially during the holidays and Hav-It Social Services serving young adults with disabilities: 409 Brewster St. West, Harvey, ND 58341.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com)

Published by The Minot Daily News, January 6, 2023