Harold Schmidt

Harold J. "Hon" Schmidt, age 91 of Waseca, passed away on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, surrounded by his family at Colony Court in Waseca.   Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Sunday, April 15th at 1:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca with Fr. Marty Schaefer, Celebrant. Interment will be in Waseca's Calvary Cemetery.    Visitation will be held on Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. at McRaith Funeral Home & Crematory in Waseca, and will continue on Sunday afternoon from 12:30 until the hour of service at church. There will be a 7:30 p.m. Catholic Daughter Rosary Saturday evening at the funeral home.   Harold James was born on March 1, 1921 to Edward Albert and Bridget Agnes (Reibold) Schmidt in St. Mary Township, Waseca County. He attended Sacred Heart Parochial School where he took piano lessons for 12 years from the Sisters at Sacred Heart, and he enjoyed playing all his life. Harold was united in marriage to Audrey Neidt on June 6, 1944 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca. Harold "Hon" farmed his whole life. First on the Schmidt Family Farm with his dad and brothers, then he purchased the Reibold Farm which he has continued to reside on until recently. Harold and Audrey raised their seven children on this century farm (Tom Reibold Farm), which was his grandparent's home. Harold was a lifetime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus Council # 2768.    He is survived by his wife Audrey; by his daughter, Bonnie (Ray) Mlenek of Waseca, and his five sons, Jim Schmidt of Waseca, John (Mary) Schmidt of Richfield, William (Debbie) Schmidt, Todd Schmidt (and friend Tae), and Randy (Twyla) Schmidt, all of Waseca; by his 14 grandchildren, Brian Schmidt, Jason Schmidt, Tim Schmidt, Cindi Leckenby, Cathy Sistad, Marisa Woitas, Mark Mlenek, Dan Schmidt, Cody Schmidt, Colby Schmidt, Chris Schmidt, Casey Schmidt, Katie Schmidt, and Kelsey Schmidt; by his 17 great-grandchildren, Jonathan Leckenby, Alysha Leckenby, Alexander Grant, Noah Schmidt, Abigail Mlenek, MacKenna Schmidt, Austin Grant, Johanna Mlenek, John Mlenek, Braeden Woitas, Jacob Mlenek, Jaxen Woitas, Brooklyn Schmidt, Nolan Woitas, Kiera Schmidt, Roslyn Schmidt, and Iva Yvonne Schmidt.   He was preceded in death by his son Michael Schmidt in 2004; two great-grandchildren, Malorie Mlenek in 1999 and Grace Woitas in 2004; by his parents; two brothers, Thomas Percy "Per" Schmidt and Edward Earl "Bud" Schmidt.   Casketbearers are Harold's 14 grandchildren.   Honorary casketbearers are Harold's 17 great-grandchildren.