Dell Rapids, SD
98
April 11, 2020
Merlin Francis Schmidt was born on April 7, 1922 to Nicholas Jr & Emma (Heer) Schmidt on their family farm north of Dell Rapids, SD. He died on April 11, 2020, just 4 days after his 98th birthday. A Celebration of Life, Mass and Military Rites service will be held at St Mary Catholic Church in Dell Rapids SD on Saturday, July 18th at 10:00 am. The service will be Livestreamed on Facebook at: Minnehaha Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Due to ongoing concerns and risks regarding COVID-19, we ask that you use careful discernment when deciding whether you should attend. Wearing a mask is requested. We fully respect your decision and appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
Grateful for sharing his life are his five children: Kathy Hegge (Dennis Mammenga) of Baltic SD, Nick (Connie) Schmidt of Lewisville TX, Jan (Ben) Bot of Cottonwood MN, Tony (Norilee) Schmidt of Sioux Falls SD, and Bill (Denise)Schmidt of Dell Rapids SD. He will also be missed by his 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Joyce Lerdal, Virginia (Dick) Mergen, Ruby (Richard) Nelson, and Arlene Schmidt, and many nieces, nephews, friends and community members. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary (Heinemann) in 2006, his parents and all of his siblings: Elberta, Alfred, Gertrude, LaVern, Norbert, Bertram, Lewis, Roy and an infant brother. He was also preceded by his son-in-law, Kent Hegge, several sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law.
His burial was held on April 17, 2020 at Dell Rapids St Mary Cemetery. Minnehaha Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Video tribute, full obituary, and online condolences at www.minnehahafuneralhome.com.