David Leo Schmidt

Mass of Christian Burial for David L. Schmidt of Donnelly, Minnesota, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at St. Charles Catholic Church in Herman. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 4, at Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday one hour prior to Mass. Burial with Military honors by the Morris American Legion will be in St. Theresia’s Cemetery in Donnelly.

David Leo Schmidt was born in Morris, Minnesota, on June 3, 1942, the son of Leo and Eleanor (Perkins) Schmidt. He attended school in Donnelly, graduated from Morris High School, Class of 1960, and thereafter continued his education at the University of Minnesota Morris.

On June 17, 1965, Dave joined the United States Army. He was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he worked on Project Nike, which developed the nation’s first operational anti-aircraft guided missile system. Dave received an honorable discharge on May 20, 1967, and served in the Army Reserves until June 16, 1971. Decorations received by Dave include the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

Dave married Cindy Maloney on March 20, 1976, at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris, and they had two sons, Scott and Joel. Dave and Cindy later divorced.

Dave worked as a carpenter and rural mail carrier. After his retirement from the United States Postal Service on his 62nd birthday in 2004, he continued to work, but his “retirement job” included tinkering, fixing on things, taking care of his family and friends, and learning about anything and everything he could. Dave loved his family, was generous and curious, and had a calming spirit. He enjoyed his pets, spending time with his sons’ dogs, watching the birds (and squirrels and rabbits) in his back yard, and coffee with his friends.

Dave’s faith was deep - he regularly attended church and supported his parish in many ways, including serving as sexton of St. Theresia’s Cemetery in Donnelly.

He was a member of St. Theresia’s Catholic Church in Donnelly, and later St. Charles Catholic Church in Herman, and the Morris American Legion. He was also a happy hour regular at Place To Be in Donnelly.

Dave died Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota. He was 83 years old.

Survivors include his sons, Scott (Mindy) Schmidt of Otsego, Minnesota, and Joel (Laura) Schmidt of Donnelly, Minnesota; his grandchildren, Theodore and Eleanor; and his siblings, Francis Schmidt, Mary (Paul) Meikel, Mike Schmidt, Martha Kjos, and Robert Schmidt.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Eleanor; sister-in-law, Rosslynd Schmidt; and brother-in-law, Gary Kjos.

The Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in care of the arrangements for Dave