Fort Dodge - Franklin J. Schmidt, 88, of Fort Dodge passed away November 13, 2014 at Halsey Hall in Fort Dodge. He was born on May 15, 1926 at Montezuma, the son of Jacob (Jake) J. and Anna (Koehn) Schmidt.

Franklin was the oldest of eight children. As a young man, he gave his heart to the Lord and was born again and baptized by Minister Ervin Harms. He married Kathryn (Katie) Eck. She survives. Frank was a veteran of World War II. He lived in Dodge City most of his life. He was a carpenter and belonged to the carpenters union. Following that, he worked for many years as a superintendant for Rhoads Construction in Dodge City before retiring in 1981.

Frank loved his family first and enjoyed working with his hands as a carpenter. He loved to fish, drive the family boat, and to be out with his family.

Franklin leaves a loving wife of 67 years, Kathryn (Katie)Eck Schmidt of Fort Dodge; three sons, Donald Ray Schmidt of Montezuma, Gary Lynn Schmidt and wife Brenda of Cripple Creek, Colorado; and Terrance Jay Schmidt of Dodge City; six siblings, Vada Marie Toews of Grafton, North Dakota, Agnes Fern Schmidt and husband Leroy of Paris, Texas, Delmar Ray Schmidt and wife Joleen of Garden City, Glen Schmidt and wife Sharon of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Earl Dean Schmidt of Turlock, California; six grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and many, many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by parents; one daughter, Carla Denise Schmidt; one brother, Orlen Dale Schmidt; and one sister and brother-in-law, Lenora and Fred Schmidt.

Funeral service will be held at the Church of God in Christ Mennonite in Montezuma on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 10:30 AM with Minister Donald Koehn presiding. Burial will follow at Montezuma Mennonite Cemetery in Montezuma. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Monday, November 17, 2014 from noon to 8:00 PM. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.