Roger Schmidt

Funeral Service for Roger Schmidt 52, of Baker are 11:00 a. m. , Friday, October 22, 2004 at the American Lutheran Church, Baker. Interment will follow in the Bonnievale Cemetery. Visitation is Thursday from 3:00 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. at Stevenson Funeral Home. Visitation will continue on Friday at the American Lutheran Church from 9:00 a. m. to service time. Roger passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2004 due to injuries from an automobile accident near Malta, Montana. Roger was born on November 7, 1951 the son of Robert and Laurine Hintz Schmidt in Jordan, Montana. He grew up and attended the Skull Creek Country School in the Brockway area graduating from the Circle High School in 1969. Roger attended Northern Montana College in Havre studying Agricultural Business. He entered the US Navy in November of 1972 and was honorably discharged in August of 1976. Roger was married to Diana Hoffer in Glendive on August 26, 1978 and to this union twin daughters and a son were born. After returning from the service, Roger enrolled at MSU in Bozeman where he completed his education and graduated with an Agricultural Business Bachelor of Science Degree. He began working in Miles City as an Agricultural Loan Officer for the Production Credit Association until 1984 when he moved to Havre where he worked for the First Bank. In 1987 the family moved to Baker where Roger began working for the Bank of Baker, and was the CEO for 1 ? years. Along with his jobs, Roger earned his Graduate School of Banking Degree from the University of Colorado in 1994. In 1997 Roger became the Fallon County Planner, which took him to many area counties. He developed and set up the 911 system for a four-county area. He also chaired the safety committee, presented safety programs and was the administrator of the Coral Creek Landfill in Fallon County. In December 2003, Roger accepted a position as Branch President of the Independence Bank in Scobey, MT. Over the years Roger volunteered as an AAU swim team coach, T-Ball coach, worked with Cub and Boy scouts, was a member of the American Lutheran Church and served on the church council, member and past president of the Chamber of Commerce of Baker and Scobey, SMART, Planning Board, Great Northern Economic Development, volunteered as secretary of the Eastern Plains RC&D, CORE Group, served as Chairman of Fallon County Area Economic Development Group, and director of the Farmers Mutual Insurance of Montana. He was instrumental in the conception, financing, design and construction of the Baker Lake Amphitheater, and the Millennium project. He also helped spur the effort to pave Highway 323 in Carter County, and initiated the GPS addressing program for Fallon, Carter and Wibaux Counties. Although Roger spent many hours volunteering his time and talents to others, his greatest love was devoted to his wife, children and family who loved him dearly. Survivors include, his wife, Diana, Baker; his twin daughters, Tanya (Brian) Giop, Bozeman and Tiffany Schmidt, Aurora, CO; a son, Brandon Schmidt, Bozeman, MT; his mother, Laurine Schmidt, Brockway, MT; two brothers, Larry (Sheri) Schmidt, Circle, Roscoe (Sharon) Schmidt, Brockway; and a sister, Roberta (Ray) Klimes, Kimberly, ID. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert; and his father and mother-in-law, David and Linda Hoffer;


Burial Date: October 22, 2004
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Funeral Service: Friday, American Lutheran Church