John R. Goldschmidt

Obituary

John Russell Goldschmidt was born on January 13, 1966, in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. He was the son of Gerald and Olive (Holmes) Goldschmidt. John was baptized as an infant on January 23, 1966, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye, and later confirmed in his faith as a youth on April 26, 1981, at St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Hutchinson. He received his education in Hutchinson and spent his Junior year in Stanford, Montana. During the year he was in Montana, John participated in the State Wrestling Tournament. He returned to Hutchinson for his Senior year and was a graduate of the Hutchinson High School Class of 1984.

John entered active military service in the United States Navy on November 24, 1984, in Hutchinson. He was stationed in San Diego while serving his country, and also was able to travel to the Philippines. John received an Honorable Discharge on November 21, 1988, at PSD Navsta San Diego, California, and achieved the rate of Sonar Technician Petty Officer Third Class.

In 1986, John was united in marriage to Stephanie Zieman at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. They shared many years of marriage and were blessed with two children, Brooke Elizabeth in 1993 and Brandon John in 1997 and resided in Hutchinson. John later moved to Blackduck, Minnesota in 2016.

John was employed as a carpenter and built beautiful homes across Hutchinson, the Minneapolis area, and Northern Minnesota.

A lifelong outdoorsman, John had a deep passion for hunting and fishing, which he shared with his children. John, Brooke, and Brandon looked forward to and enjoyed their annual hunting openers and numerous fishing trips every year. John also loved to travel, visiting the Black Hills of South Dakota many times, taking an Alaskan cruise, and exploring Hawaii, the Bahamas, and other places in the Caribbean. However, his favorite trips were always to Montana and the Hideout Resort in Blackduck, which he had visited regularly since childhood.

John was one of 11 siblings, and his large family, along with a wide circle of friends, were a central part of his life. He had a unique ability to connect with everyone he met. Whether over a bourbon or rye whiskey, or a phone call just to check in, John made a point to stay in touch with those he cared about. In 2020, John was blessed with his first grandchild, Blaire Antoinette, followed by George Wesley in 2022 and Charles Michael in 2024. He loved his new role of Grandpa and began teaching them all of his favorite activities, leaving behind a lasting legacy.

John was a father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, coworker, and friend. He was beloved and will be deeply missed.

John passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota, at the age of 59 years.

Blessed be his memory.

John is survived by his:
Daughter, Brooke Corrigan and her husband, Wesley of Minnetrista, MN;
Son, Brandon Goldschmidt and his wife, Elizabeth of St. Bonifacius, MN;
Grandchildren, Blaire Corrigan, George Corrigan, Charles Goldschmidt;
Mother, Olive Goldschmidt of Hutchinson, MN;
Siblings, Susan Hogen of New Ulm, MN,
Mary Polzin and her husband, Perry of Stanford, MT,
Mark Goldschmidt and his wife, Barb of Hubert, NC,
Tom Goldschmidt and his wife, Terri of Hutchinson, MN,
Janet Goldschmidt of Hutchinson, MN,
Joel Goldschmidt of Hutchinson, MN,
Ann Holtz and her husband, Terry of Bemidji, MN,
Leon Goldschmidt and his wife, Sheri of Stewart, MN,
Barb Goldschmidt of Loveland, CO,
Kevin Goldschmidt and his wife, Tammy of Blackduck, MN;
Countless nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives, co-workers, and friends.

John is preceded in death by his Father, Gerald Goldschmidt; Brother-in-law, James “Jim” Hogen.