Chester Schmid

Chester R. Schmid, 91, of New Rockford, ND, died Friday, December 10, 2010 at Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford.


Chester Robert Schmid was born January 19, 1919, in Barlow, ND, the son of Frank and Katharine Schmid. His mother died within 8 weeks of his birth and he was given to his aunt and uncle, Lydia and Leonhard Schmid to be raised as a foster son. He attended elementary school in Barlow, and graduated from Carrington High School in 1937. Chester then farmed with his brother Zeller until entering the service.


Chester served in the US Army in World War II from April 1942 until November 1945 in the European Theatre. On June 7, 1944, Chester was one of thousands of GIs that went ashore under extremely heavy fire at Utah beach of France as part of the D-Day invasion which eventually ended WWII. Chester was later awarded the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster. Following his discharge, he resumed farming.


Chester married Florence Kluck on July 18, 1946, in Jamestown, ND, and they made their home in New Rockford. In 1947, Chester purchased the Coast to Coast Hardware Store which he operated for 34 years. Following the closing of J C Penney, Chester bought the building and started Skogmo Department Store, which he operated until selling to his manager, Wm Koenig.


Chester was a business, government, civic and church leader in New Rockford. He was a member of the City Commission 1959-1976, and served as Mayor 62-72. Chester was a Chairman of the City Hospital board, and later was a member on the clinic board. He served as President of the US Highway 281 Association for 2 years. Chester was a long time member of United Methodist Church, was a 30 year member of Kiwanis Club, was a member of Masonic Lodge and El Zagel Shrine, and was a life member of the American Legion and Raymond B. Thorn Post #30. After retiring in 1982, Chester drove the Eddy County Senior Bus, and also delivered Meals On Wheels for 11 years. He also served as an ambulance driver for 5 years.


Chester and Florence did a lot of traveling after retiring. They were honored guests of Astronaut Colonel Jim Buchli following his four shuttle flights at Cape Canaveral, Florida. In September of 2009, Chester was a member of a Veteran’s Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. He was a gardener, and always had a good lawn and many flowers.


He is survived by his wife Florence; nephews, Ron (Jacqueline) Schmid, Sunriver, OR, Dale (Susan) Schmid, Santa Rosa, CA, Roger (Jan) Schmid, Bismarck, ND, Neal (Pamela) Schmid, Sioux Falls, SD, Doug Schmid, Barlow, ND, Robert (LaVonne) Hedquist, Miami, FL, Kent (Pat) Otto, Grace City, ND, Terry (Mary) Otto, Carrington, ND; nieces Catherine (Don) Yadon, Mesa, AZ, Agnes Clemenson, Seattle, WA, Helen Diggins, Gilbert, AZ, Rosemary Louis) Daniels, Moses Lake, WA, Ginger Schmid (husband Forrest Wilkerson), Mankato, MN, and Kathy (Mark) Halvorson, West Fargo.


He was preceded in death by his parents, foster parents, brother John, sister Myrtle Sweere, foster brother Zeller Schmid, one niece, Margaret Bean, and two nephews, Donald Sweer and Gary Schmid.

 

FUNERAL SERVICE: United Methodist Church, New Rockford, ND

DATE AND TIME: Friday, December 17, 2010 at 2:00PM

BURIAL: Prairie Home Cemetery, New Rockford, ND

Posted Condolences:

Name: Tami Albert(Bjerke)

Date: 12/16/2010

Message: Florence, I am sorry about Chester passing! I will always remember growing up next door to you and Chester and his impeccable garden. He was always out there making sure it was just right. You were the best neighbors us kids could of had. He will be missed by a lot of people.

My Deepest Condolences.

Tami, Ben, & McKenzy Albert

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Name: Sister Francine Janousek

Date: 12-14-10

Message: Dear Florence,
It was with sadness that I read of Chet's death. I learned a great deal from him when I was working at City Hospital. It was always clear that he had the good of the city of New Rockford close to his heart.

My prayer is that the God who is "always close to the broken-hearted" will be very near to you these days to comfort you and that same One will hold Chet forever in deepest peace and joy.

God bless you.

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Name: Earle Myers

Date: 12/13/2010

Message: Chester was a man noted for his kindness, We certainly remember the time he made the round trip to Fargo to pick up our son when my Dad died.
Our sincerest sympathies

Bud and Susan Haas Myers

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Name: Larry & Sherry Bjerke

Date: 12-13-2010

Message: Florence,
We are very sorry to hear the news of Chester's passing. What great neighbors you both were. After work Larry always enjoyed having a cold beer on your porch with Chester. We will miss him.