Gayle Schmidt

Gayle Schmidt, 72, Medina, ND died Friday, February 13, 2026 at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.

Gayle was born on March 18, 1953 in Carrington, North Dakota to Lyle and Evelyn (Schulz) Kutz. She was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother. She moved to Medina with her family with 6 siblings, Gary, Glen, Gregg, Gavin, Gloriann, and Gina, when she was in the ninth grade where she met the love of her life Durwin Schmidt. They married on June 16, 1973. They have lived on Durwin’s family farm all of their married life, where they raised their three children; Stephanie Hanson (Jerod), Jeremy Schmidt (Meredith), and Jason Schmidt (JaSondra).

Gayle had a zest for life and lived to serve the lord. She treasured times with her family, especially Christmas as it was her favorite holiday. She never considered it completely decorated without the train around the tree. Every holiday was recognized with a card to her seven grandchildren, her greatest joy, Calvin Hanson, Isabel Schmidt, Ethan Hanson, Kamela Hanson, Ilaina Schmidt, Faron Schmidt, Chalis Schmidt, whom she adored with all her heart. Her greatest joy was brought by spending time playing with them. She would watch movies and play baseball, magic, board games, cards, slime and so much more with them and that is how they will truly remember her. She loved to plant flowers, gardening, canning all her garden produce, baking and mowing her yard, which she took great pride in and was very meticulous about. She also loved to ride horse, especially Renegade. This Christmas she made 22 different candies and cookies as she truly loved to feed her family with what her joyful hands produced. In the last few weeks she told Durwin how they started their married life with very little money and times were hard, but we raised some very good children with what we had.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to so many. She often mailed cards to people who were sick, to lift their spirits, as she was the most selfless person we will ever have known. She worked as a CNA for a time sharing her caring spirit with others in the nursing home helping many elderly residents enjoy their last years with her kind heart. She gained some additional little friends, that called her gramma Gayle, on her bus routes that she drove for 40 plus years. She was loved by many.

Gayle is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren and siblings.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents and her beloved brother Glen.


Prayer Service- 7:00 PM Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Haut Funeral Home in Jamestown, ND.

Funeral Service- 3:00 PM Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at the Medina Public School in Medina, ND.

Interment- Medina Cemetery, in the spring.

Arrangements- Haut Funeral Home, Jamestown, ND.

The funeral service is available to view here- https://vimeo.com/1168321096/2d6e75bf58?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

The prayer service livestream/recording is available to view here- https://hautfuneralhome.livecontrol.tv/9f1aa715