Dwight Schmidt

Dwight Schmidt, 65, Gackle, ND died  Friday morning, January 24, 2020 in the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN.

Dwight Erwin Schmidt made his first big impression on the world on April 5, 1954, at the Gackle Hospital in Gackle, North Dakota. The third child of Frieda (Gienger) and Eldo Schmidt, he grew to have red hair, beautiful blue eyes, freckles, and a huge grin that made his eyes squint every time he smiled. It was apparent early on that he would be a farmer because he would make windrows and drag marks in the dirt in the front yard, making tractor noises with his mouth the whole time. As he grew older he would walk to the neighbor’s farms and help them figure out the carrots from the weeds that were growing in their garden. He started school at Gackle Elementary with a bright mind and a mischievous soul that was appreciated by his classmates and rued by his teachers. As he entered his teenage years at Gackle Public he became active in FFA, debate team, and playing trumpet in the high school band, continuing his reputation as the class disrupter. After graduating in 1972, he attended Bismarck Junior College, earning a degree in agriculture and expanding his already large circle of friends. He returned to the family farm southwest of Gackle to work with Eldo and begin raising pigs.

In 1997, Dwight began working at the NDSU Central Grasslands Research Center located near Streeter, ND as Manager of Ag Operations where he continued to share his love of farming with his co-workers. He retired from there in May of 2019 but continued to live at and raise cattle on his farm. Dwight, who was known as Red, Bubba, Peaches, and Santa Claus, believed making friends and building relationships was important. He generously shared a smile or a story with everyone he met. He was caring, supportive, had a big heart and a giving soul. He shared his wisdom and joy with anyone and he was always there to be a friend. His big personality would fill every room he entered leaving everyone in it with a smile.

He was active in the community and was a member of the Jaycees and Lions Club, and served as a board member for the Gackle Co-op, Gackle Fire Department, and the Gackle Grain Elevator. He was an active member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and frequently served on the church council.

Dwight was loved and admired by everyone in his family and is survived by his brother Gordon (Colleen) Schmidt, Miami, Florida, and his sisters, Connie Fischer, Gackle, Diana Schmidt (Butch Sanders), Elgin, Texas, and Janell Schmidt, Fargo. His memory will be cherished by his nephews Shawn (Angelica) Schmidt, Melbourne, Australia, Jason (Kelly) Schmidt, Seoul, South Korea, Curtis (Karen) Fischer, Jr, Driscoll, ND, Lee Fischer, Bismarck and his niece Christina (Eric) Exner, Fargo. He will also be lovingly remembered by his great-nephews, great-nieces, and his extended family and friends throughout Neudorf Township, Gackle, Logan County, the state of North Dakota and far beyond.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eldo and Frieda, and his grandparents, John and Christina Schmidt, Jacob and Christina Gienger, and his step-grandmother Eva Schmidt.

Burial will take place in the Neudorf Cemetery, West of Gackle, ND.