John Schmidt

A funeral Mass for John J. Schmidt, 86, of Dickinson, will be 9:30 a. m. , Wednesday, January 13, 2016 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Dickinson with Father Shannon Lucht and Msgr. Patrick Schumacher con-celebrating. Burial will take place in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, ND. Military Rites will be by the Dickinson Honor Guard. Visitation for John will be 10:00 a. m. to 8:00 p. m. Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at Stevenson Funeral Home with a rosary and vigil service being held at 7:00 p. m. John passed away with his family at his side, on January 8, 2016 at CHI St. Joseph’s Health in Dickinson. John J. Schmidt was born in Stark County on June 24, 1929 to John C. Schmidt and Pauline Miller. He was raised on the family farm southwest of South Heart and received his primary education from rural school. In 1951, he was drafted into the US Army, serving two years as a supply sergeant at Camp Polk, Louisiana, and received an honorable discharge. On October 13, 1954, John married Eugenia (Jean) Wock at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. To this union seven children were born. They began their farm life together, north of Belfield, during which time John continued his education, received his GED and attended vocational agricultural classes at Dickinson State Teacher’s College. In 1958, they moved to their present farmstead north of South Heart in Dunn County. John loved all aspects of living in the country. Farming and ranching were dear to his heart, along with the family dairy operation. In his early married years, many Sunday afternoons were spent riding his horse and checking cattle. He enjoyed his hours working in the fields. John was also a gifted mechanic and excellent welder, often helping his neighbors. The early years of farming were challenging, therefore, John supplemented the family income during one bitterly cold winter by helping weld the Cargill cone-shaped elevators that once were on the west side of Dickinson. He enjoyed listening to old-time music, playing the accordion, guitar, and harmonica. He was an avid reader. John was a man of strong faith, a man of many great traits. His greatest love was his wife, Jean, of 61 years. His family was important, and he was very proud of them all. He will truly be missed. John served on the Dunn County Draft Board and the South Heart Fire Department Board of Directors for many years, as well as drove school bus for the South Heart District. He was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Parish, Eagles Club, Knights of Columbus, and American Legion Club. John is survived by Jean, and his seven children: Noreen (Ken) Kudrna of Dickinson, JoLynn (Dean) Kostelecky of Anoka, MN, Allan (Joselle) of Dickinson, Connie (Mike) Kolling of Dickinson, Lynette (Jim) Buresh of Richmond, TX, Gordie (Connie) of Harvey, ND, Janell (Mark) Anderson of Bismarck. He was also blessed with twenty grandchildren, Kendra, Jordan, Jaden, Crystal, Jenna, Michaela, Dustin, Landon, Kara, Lance, Lexy, Elissa, Avery, Nolan, Austan, Walker, Cole, Jace, Grant, and Nate; and seven great-grandchildren. Surviving brothers are Edward (Pat) of Dickinson, George (Gina) of Belfield, Leo (Margaret) of San Jose, CA, and David (Kathy) of Belfield. Surviving sisters are Ann (Leonard) Buresh of Fargo, Betty Brinster of Portland, OR, Leona (Albert) Godlevsky of Manning; Rose (Tony) Wolf of Dickinson, Lena (Dean) Oberlander of Gillette, WY, and Edna (Bob) Privratsky of South Heart; and numerous nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Pauline; infant sister, Alice; brother, Frank; and brother-in-law, Eugene Brinster.


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Burial Date: January 13, 2016
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Mass: Wednesday: Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson, ND