Dateline: Great Bend, Kansas

Name of Deceased: Leo Joseph Schmidt Age: 89
Leo Joseph Schmidt, 89, died Sunday, July 13, 2014 at Pleasant View Nursing Home, Inman, KS, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Leo was born December 19, 1924 in Liebenthal, KS, to John and Anna (Heronema) Schmidt. He was the youngest of ten children. Leo married Dorothy “Dottie” Dreher on January 13, 1947, in St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Schoenchen, KS. She survives.
Leo served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European-African Middle Eastern Theater as a Private First Class. He was awarded a Purple Heart after he suffered severe injuries in battle at Colmar, France. After he returned from service, he worked for the Kansas Highway of Engineers (Jan 1946 to May 1952), Reed Roller Bit Co (May 1952 to 1954), Esfeld Trucking Co (Nov 1954 to Nov 1955) before joining Smith Tool International in November 1955. He retired from Smith Tool in January of 1981 after 26 years of service. His last position was Regional Sales Manager based in Great Bend.

He was a member of Prince of Peace Parish at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and a member of the American Legion Post 180. Leo took up golf at the age of 50, and could often be seen at the Petroleum Club and Lake Barton Golf Courses. For years, he took his family and their friends to Lake Wilson and Barton Lake, teaching many how to ski with the family boat. He also would take long fishing trips with his brother, Monsignor George Schmidt, at Kerwin Lake, and supplied the family with plenty of fish for the 40 days of Lent. Leo was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He will be remembered for his electric smile, contagious laugh, and wonderful sense of humor …. And his flocked white Christmas trees.

Surviving are their six children; Dianna Koerner of Hays, KS; George Schmidt (Sallie) of Fort Smith, AR; Karen Harper (Steve) of Good Year, AZ; Mike Schmidt (Debbie) of Greeley, CO; Patricia “Trish” Schartz of Great Bend, KS; and Joan Barrett (Jeff) of Wichita, KS; twelve grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. Leo is also survived by one sister, Annie Ziegler of Beloit, KS.

He was preceded in death by eight siblings; Isabella Schmidt, Leonard Schmidt, Monsignor George Schmidt, Sister Ann Mary Schmidt, Louise Dolechek, Sister Mary Bernadette Schmidt, Celestine Isenbart, and infant Celestine Schmidt.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Funeral Service: Wednesday, July 16, 2014 Time of Service: 10:30 am
Place of Funeral Service: St. Patrick Catholic Church in Great Bend
Vigil Service with Rosary : Tuesday, July 15, 2014 Time of Vigil/Rosary Service: 7:00 pm
Place of Vigil/Rosary Service: Bryant Funeral Home
Interment: Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend, Kansas
Visitation: 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at Bryant Funeral Home
Memorial Fund: Holy Family School, in care of Bryant Funeral Home

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net
Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home 1425 Patton Road Great Bend, Kansas 67530