Obituary of Henry Schmidt

Henry Anton Schmidt passed away peacefully with family by his side on June 20, 2015. He was born December 19, 1928, in the Glen Bain district and grew up on the family farm just 15 miles west of Gravelbourg. He left school at the early age of fourteen to work various manual jobs such as hauling logs by horse, digging wells, and construction.Eventually he took over the family farm. On June 3, 1959, he married Dolores Fortin and together they started a beautiful and bountiful family. In 1964 they moved into town into the house Henry would live the remainder of his life. Henry provided for his family by farming and painting/dry-walling. He was known for his perfectionism. Henry loved collecting coins and spent hours examining them with his magnifying glass. He enjoyed bird watching, particularly during his later years, and ensured the finchs in town were well fed. In his younger years he spent much time at the curling rink and the bowling alley. Fishing, particularly ice fishing, cheering on the RoughRiders, and playing card games were all favorite pastimes. He loved polka music, Dolly Parton, and western movies. He believed in community and was a volunteer firefighter for many years. Henry could fix anything and spent much time in his shop tinkering until whatever it was that was broken was not anymore, regardless of how much duct tape it took. Henry is survived by Dolores, his loving wife of fifty-six years; nine children: David (Bobbi), Ronald, Joann (Claude), Richard, Brenda (Dwayne), Marie (Ken), Maxine (Mark), Kevin (Tanya) and Keith; two sisters: Ruth and Ortis; as well as nine grandchildren: Christopher, Jenessa, Joshua, Kyle, Derek, Brooke, Trinity, Jory and Jersey. He was predeceased by his parents: Anton and Dorthea; mother in law: Antonia Fortin; and siblings: Walter, Mary, Elmer and Ben; and his favorite dog: Gizmo. Dad was a role model to all of his children. He gave unconditional love and led by example. He always knew when to lecture, when to simply listen and how to gently provide the advice we didn’t know we needed. His legacy is not one of material riches but rather one of deep and everlasting love.