Elmer A. Schmidt

Elmer A. Schmidt, 86 year old resident of Swanville, MN passed away Friday, September 25, 2015 at the Long Prairie Nursing Home in Long Prairie, MN. Funeral services were held Tuesday, September 29, 2015 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Swanville, MN and Rev. Kevin Zellers officiated. Burial took place in the Springbrook Cemetery in Swanville, MN.
Elmer was born on August 12, 1929 in Swanville Township, Morrison County to the late Leonard and Anna (Ehrenberg) Schmidt. He was united in marriage to Lila Mae Brees and together they had three children, Dennis, Dorcas and Shelly. Elmer was later united in marriage to Marilyn Sears on August 13, 1968 in Sisseton, SD. To this marriage three children were born, Ken, Don and Ron. In 1971 Elmer, Marilyn and family moved to the Schmidt Family Farm two miles Southwest of Swanville where Elmer ran a small farming operation which included 30-40 head of cattle. Along with farming, Elmer managed the Swanville Coop Creamery and drove school bus for the Swanville School District. Elmer also served as mayor of Swanville and was also the fire chief for the Swanville Fire Department for many years. He was also a very talented butter maker, earning many trophies and awards for the excellent butter he made. Elmer made the butter that was served at President John F. Kennedy’s presidential inauguration party. In his free time he enjoyed square dancing, bowling on the Swanville Creamery bowling team, and playing cards with his card clubs. He was also an avid outdoorsman that loved hunting, fishing, and camping. In his later years Elmer enjoyed taking his golf cart out for rides around the country or attending auctions and garage sales. He was greatly loved and will be dearly missed.
Elmer is survived by children, Dennis (Brenda) Schmidt of Swanville, MN, Dorcas (Roger) Dowell of Albany, MN, Shelly (Gerald) Tostenson of Long Prairie, MN, Ken Schmidt of OK, Don (Beth) Schmidt, and Ron (Tressa) Schmidt; step-children, Jim Sears of Chesapeake, VA, Ed (Dadra) Sears of Arvada, CO, and Sue (Dan) Crick of Menno, SD; brothers, Willie (Joan) Schmidt of Glendive, MT, Larry (Donna) Schmidt of Long Prairie, MN, and Alvin (Kathy) Schmidt of Sun City, AZ; 19 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Elmer was preceded in death by wife, Marilyn; parents, Leonard and Anna Schmidt; and son-in-law, Darwin “Buzz” Lambrecht.