The funeral service for Kenneth Schmidt, 77, of Wood Lake, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 9, 2020, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wood Lake, MN. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2020, at Sunset Funeral Home in Echo. Visitation will continue from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the church. Interment with military honors will take place at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Wood Lake.
Kenneth Loren Schmidt was born on June 30, 1942, in Granite Falls, MN, to Arthur and Dorothy (Wilson) Schmidt. He was baptized on August 2, 1942 at St. Luke’s Evangelical Church and confirmed on May 6, 1956, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. He graduated from Wood Lake High School. Kenneth enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served from 1961 – 1967. He was an Electrician’s Mate and earned his dolphins in the Submarine Service. He served on the USS Sennet and the USS Skate. After 50 years he earned his “dolphins” as a former submarine sailor. After his honorable discharge, Kenneth returned to Wood Lake. On September 8, 1962, he was united in marriage to Lenae Cole. Kenneth farmed with his father for 13 years, and then went on his own. He planted 40 plus crops from 1967 – 2008. Kenneth served on the Posen Township Board, seven terms as Supervisor and Chairman of the Board. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, coin collecting, gardening and bird watching.
After a brief illness, Kenneth died on Sunday, January 5, 2020, surrounded by his girls at his residence in Wood Lake. He is survived by his daughters Rhonda Lea (and Glenn) Shemon of Hastings, Stephanie (and Jerry) Lerma of Schertz, TX, Valerie (and Kevin) Mulcahy of Schertz, TX, grandchildren Adam (and Erin) Shemon, Mitchell (and Darcy) Shemon, Brittany (and Nick) McGeehan, Kirsten (and Brett) Olds, Geremy Lerma, Loren Mulcahy, Clarian Mulcahy, Joshua Lerma, Dylan Shemon, Dominic Shemon and Kaleb Mulcahy; great-grandsons Gavin, Mason, Declan and Parker Shemon and great grandchild, Baby Olds, brother Robert (and Sue) Schmidt, sister Carol (and Cliff) Timm, sisters-in-law Annette Schmidt and Pat Aalderks, , brother-in-law Darrel (and Linda) Cole, sister-in-law Barb (and Danny) Meyer, nieces, nephews, relatives and special loving companion, Marles Berthelsen. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lenae, brother Melvin and brothers-in-law Arnie Aalderks and Dean Cole.
