Arthur “Art” A. Schmidt Jr.

Obituary

Arthur “Art” Abe Schmidt Jr. was born on February 20, 1932, in rural Norwood Young America. He was the son of Arthur and Lydia (Kamps) Schmidt. Art was baptized as an infant at St. Paul’s Evangelical Reformed Church in Hamburg, Minnesota. He grew up on the Schmidt Family farm and enjoyed helping his parents with chores and fieldwork. He attended school at the MN State Academy for the Deaf in Faribault, Minnesota.

On September 17, 1955, Art was united in marriage to Beverly Johnson at Aldrich Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Together, they made their home in Minneapolis, and Art did woodworking for a furniture company. After a few years, farm life was calling Art and Beverly back. They moved back to the Norwood Young America area and began farming with Art’s parents. They had dairy cows, hogs, and chickens. Art and Beverly were blessed with two sons, Dale and Larry. Art was fulfilled as a dairy farmer and farmed with his son, Dale. They developed a herd of Registered Holstein Cows and began showing at the cow shows and fairs. With farming comes maintenance, and Art enjoyed welding and tending to machinery repairs. Lifelong friendships were formed through the dairy community, and he was grateful for that. Art and Beverly shared over 60 years of marriage before Beverly passed away in 2016.

Art was a member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Reformed Church in Hamburg. He had a strong faith and enjoyed visits with his pastor. He was also a member of the Minnesota Holstein Association and the Carver County Holstein Association. He received the Senior Holstein Breeder Award from the Carver County Holstein Association and the Senior Breeder Award (all breeds) at the Carver County Dairy Day Dinner. Art enjoyed going to Dairy Cattle shows at the local, state, and national levels his entire life right up until 2024. Art was often seen with his VCR recorder camera, capturing many events and activities of his family. These recordings will be cherished. He enjoyed attending state and county fairs, auctions, and activities with his grandchildren. Art also enjoyed riding horses. Over the years, Art did woodworking as a hobby and in his later years made his own unique designs of birdhouses. Art traveled with his wife, visiting Hawaii, Mexico, and California. Art had an active social life and he enjoyed spending time with everyone. He especially cherished the time spent with his family. He will be remembered for his cheerful and outgoing personality, his infectious smile, and his notepad, eager to communicate by writing.

Art passed away with his family by his side on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, at the age of 93 years, 1 month, and 11 days. Blessed be his memory.

Art is survived by his
Children, Dale and his wife, Mavis, of Green Isle, MN, Larry and his wife, Melody of Annandale, MN;
Grandchildren, Lindsay Schultz and her husband, Clayton, Alex Schmidt and his wife, Emily, Emma Schmidt and her significant other, Devon,
Josh Schmidt, Tim Thompson;
Great-Grandchildren, Easton and Baylor Schultz, and Jackson and Charlie Schmidt;
Special Friend, Marion Lindbo;
Nieces, Nephews, Other relatives, and Friends.

Art was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Schmidt; Father and Mother, Arthur Sr. and Lydia Schmidt; Father-in-law, and Mother-in-law, Elof and Alice Johnson; Brother, Herbert Schmidt; Nephew, Elroy Schmidt.