Roger Schmidt, 80, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at Dell Rapids Nursing and Rehab Center. Mass of Christian Burial takes place at 10:30 AM, on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at St. Peter Catholic Parish in Colman, SD. The family will be present for visitation from 5:00PM to 7:00PM with prayer service beginning at 7:00PM on Monday, September 2, 2024, also at St. Peter Catholic Parish.
Roger John Schmidt, 80, of Dell Rapids, SD (formerly of Colman, SD), passed away on August 28, 2024, after a more than 30-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family.
Roger was born on December 28, 1943, in Flandreau, SD, the son of Alvis and Agnes (Kresser) Schmidt. Roger was a lifetime member St. Peter Catholic Church.
Roger attended Allen Country School through 8th grade and then graduated from Colman High School in 1961. He then worked as a carpenter and was a member of the Air National Guard for 6 years.
Roger married the love of his life, Vicki McFarland on June 5, 1965, at Ss. Simon & Jude Catholic Church in Flandreau, SD.
Roger & Vicki made their home in Madison, SD where he owned his own carpentry business before working for the Milwaukee Railroad as a brakeman. They moved to the family farm near Colman in 1972 to raise their family. Roger farmed and loved raising livestock. He also worked as a welder for T&R Electric for 30 years. After they both retired, they moved to Dell Rapids in 2009.
Roger’s favorite hobby was working. In his spare time, he loved wood working, fishing, and camping - especially in the mountains by a stream surrounded by trees. Roger and Vicki spent many years traveling in their RV and wintering in Arizona.
Roger was a very strong, yet compassionate man who will be missed by many. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Vicki of 59 years; children, Dan (Sandy) of Colman, SD; Tammy (Todd) Park of Baltic, SD. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Tiffany (Dave) Ruhlman, daughter Harper and son Hunter; Tate (Jessie) Schmidt and their daughters Ava and Reese; Trista (Thomas) Breckenridge and son Eastin; Trina (Michael) French, daughter Madeleine and one on the way; Tyler (Erin) Park and son Teagan; and Carter Schmidt. He is also survived by his brothers Vince Schmidt and Clem (Marlene) Schmidt; brother-in-law Bill McFarland (Lorri); and many nieces and nephews.
