LAURENCE "LARRY" F. SCHMIDT

January 29, 1947 - August 22, 2019

(Caledonia, MN) Laurence "Larry" F. Schmidt, 72, of Caledonia, passed away August 22, 2019, at Mayo Health Systems, LaCrosse, WI. He was born January 29, 1947, in Bottineau, ND, to Fredrich and Erma (White) Schmidt. He attended and graduated from Kramer, ND in a class of 9. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War from 1967-1969. On December 12, 1969, he was united in marriage to Alona Rask at  Wilmington Lutheran Church. When he first moved to MN, he was a carpenter for Standard Lumber and Meiners Lumber. He went on to work on his own and eventually everyone knew who to call when they needed a helping hand. He was employed by Griffith Management until retirement working at Miken, Winnebago Software, and LockNet. After retirement, he was still always a phone call away. He enjoyed woodworking, and most recently scroll sawing. Multiple nights a week, he could be found playing cards at Elsie’s or at home teaching and playing with the grandkids. He loved to plant the garden every year and always made the grandkids help. He was a huge joker, always picking on everyone, no matter how annoying. What he enjoyed most was spending time with family and was always at the grandkids events. He was a member of The American Legion Post 191 of Caledonia. He is survived by his wife, Alona; 4 children, Michelle (Bob) Scanlan, Darrin (Tracey) Schmidt, Allison (Cory) Fisher, and Kevin (Joannie) Schmidt; 11 grandchildren, Casey, Jenna, and Cory; Tyanna and Levi; Mickayla (Caleb), Ethan, Tanner, and soon to be born granddaughter; Kristen and Mitchell; 3 sisters, Charlotte (Curt) Zimmerman-Brainerd, MN, Marilyn (Rick) Anderson-Kenmare, ND, and Sheila (Doug) Johnson-Burlington, ND. He was preceded in death by his parents, nephew Mitchell Anderson, and Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Orville and Elna Rask. Funeral services will be at 11 am on Thursday, August 29, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Caledonia. Rev. Steven Meyer will officiate. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm at the church on Wednesday and from 10-11 am on Thursday before the service. Military honors will be given at the church following the service.