Leonard R. Schmidt

Leonard R. Schmidt, 79, Sturgeon Lake, died Monday, August 19, 2013 in Oakview Assisted Living, Moose Lake. He was born on December 2, 1933 in Superior, Wisconsin to Ernest and Anna Schmidt. Leonard graduated from Moose Lake High School in 1951 and continued working on the dairy farm with his Dad and raising registered Holsteins. Leonard was active in various farm organizations, receiving awards for his innovative ideas. He married Maryls Harkman on June 26, 1956 in Cokato. In 1963, Leonard joined Prudential Insurance as an agent and retired in 1996 after 32 years of service. Leonard loved the Moose Lake area "boosted" it every chance he had. He saw the need for a museum to commemorate the Fires of 1918 and was the chairperson of the Soo Depot Restoration Project and also served several terms as President of the Moose Lake Area Historical Society. Leonard represented Carlton County on the 7 County Resource, Conservation, and Development Council for many years and worked on many local and area projects. He was active in the Munger Trial Town Association, serving as President. Leonard was a lifetime member of Hope Lutheran, previously Zion Lutheran, and sang in the church choir from his teenage years until his mid-seventies when his health began to deteriorate. He also sang in the Autumn Voices for several years. Leonard had also been active in the Jaycees, Kiwanis, and Moose Lake Chamber. In 1998, Leonard and Maryls were honored with a very special award of being the Grand Marshal of the July 4th Parade in 1998.

Leonard enjoyed deer hunting, snowmobiling, and building his home on Close Lake, which he and Maryls moved into in November of 2000.

Leonard was proud of his family and enjoyed time spent with them, especially when he could be showing them how to do something. He was a creative, an eternal optimist, and full of energy. Leonard was truly a "can-do" person and problem solver.

He moved to Oakview Memory Care Unit in October of 2012 after several years of living with Dementia. His family thanks Oakview and its employees for the loving care he received.

The last years have been difficult, but he maintained his dignity and he had our respect to the end.

Leonard was preceded in death by his parents: Ernest and Anna Schmidt; brother: Eugene Schmidt; and a nephew: Dale Schmidt.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 57 years, Maryls; four children: Craig (Meg) Schmidt of Edina; John (Julie) Schmidt of White Bear Lake; Paul (Lisa) Schmidt of Mahtomedi; and Debra (Peter) Hartmark of Coon Rapids; eight grandchildren: Jenna Schmidt, Kendra Schmidt, Jonathan Schmidt, Kaitlyn Schmidt, Landon Schmidt, Grace Schmidt, Jordan Hartmark, and Rachel Hartmark; sister: Carol Larson of Ham Lake and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 9 until the 11 am service on Friday, August 23, 2013 in Hope Lutheran Church, Moose Lake. Pastor Reggie Denton will officiate. Music will be provided by Lee Mogen, Hope Lutheran Choir, and Autumn Voices. Casket Bearers will be Leonard's Grandchildren. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Cemetery, Moose Lake.

Memorials are preferred to Moose Lake Historical Society, Hope Lutheran Building Fund, Alzheimer's Association, Cystic Fibrosis, or Donor's Choice.

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.