James L. Schmidt, age 64, Flandreau, passed away Thursday, June 22, 2017, at his home under hospice care.
Jim was born to LaVern and Minnie (Jerrel) Schmidt on September 19, 1952, at Flandreau. He attended Todd and Chamberlin country schools and graduated from Flandreau High School in 1970.
Jim worked at Counter Part in Brookings and as body shop manager at Julson Motors in Flandreau. Jim married Camilla Carlson on June 18, 1977, in Flandreau, and they just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary.
Jim was a self taught mechanic. He had a love for racing. In his early years, he drove race car. He later started to build engines for others. He built engines for many local area race car drivers. He enjoyed sharing his gift by teaching others about mechanics and motor building.
Jim also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandson Connor. Jim was a member of Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church.
Jim is survived by his wife, Camilla; two children, Lori (Travis) Lawson, Sioux Falls and Danny (Christina), Flandreau; a grandson, Connor; four sisters, Barbara (Dick) Muckle, St. Paul, Minn.; Beverly (Jerry) Austin, Keystone, SD; Karen Schipper and Jerrelyn (Torry) Cole, both of Flandreau; three brothers, Bob and Rick, both of Flandreau; and Steve (Brenda), Baltic; nine brothers and sisters-in-law, Tom (Shirley) Carlson, Slayton, Minn.; Kathleen (Doug) Bloemke, Winona, Minn.; James Carlson, Paulette (Joe) Stefanick and Francis ((Sandy) Carlson, all of Garvin, Minn.; Marlene (Robbie) Morgan and John (Lori) Carlson, both of Tracy, Minn.; Joel Carlson, West Concord, Minn.; and Michael (Melissa) Carlson, Granite Falls, Minn. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law, Roy and Lorraine Carlson and a brother -in-law Bob Carlson.
Mass of Christian Burial was said June 26, 2017, at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church, Flandreau, S.D., with burial in the church cemetery.
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