Montezuma - My husband, our father and grandfather, Sam Schmidt, was born August 10, 1933 to Urias and Susie (Koehn) Schmidt at Fairview, Oklahoma. He passed away in the early morning hours of February 4, 2020 at his home in Montezuma, reaching the age of 86 years.

Dad spent his childhood days on the family farm together with his 10 siblings. When he was 9 years old, his father died, leaving him to help support the family. At age 16, he together with his family moved to Winton, California. There he started working for the Pontiac dealer. This started his lifelong career of auto repair.

When Dad was 11 years old, he gave his life to the Lord and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. His faith and trust in God were strong, leading to prayers that were answered in amazing ways. The church was special to him and he remained true to his vows until the end.

On November 2, 1952, Sam was married to me, Lavaunda Schmidt. We enjoyed 67 special years together. A year and a half after we were married, we went to 1W service in Los Angeles for two years. When we were finished with our time of service, we moved back to Winton, California and bought an almond farm. Sam also worked at G&M manufacturing company and a body shop to help make a living. During our years in California, two daughters and four sons were born to us. Our family was special to us. It was a deep sorrow when our son Donald passed away at the age of 53.

In 1967, pursuing his dream of farming, dad moved his family to Greeley, Colorado. Seven years later another move was made, this time to the Walnut Hill, Florida area. He started out farming there and built a shop to do auto body work. This provided an opportunity for him to work together with his boys.

His outgoing personality and love of people made him many friends. Grandpa and grandma opened their home to several youth through the years. They took them in as family, making them feel loved. They loved to travel, going often to see those dear to them. Grandpa was very special to all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Those left to cherish fond memories are his wife, Lavaunda; children, Delilah Wilson, Atmore, Alabama; Mary and Evan Koehn, Maynard and Karen Schmidt, both of Scotia, Nebraska; Galen and Rosalie Schmidt, Walnut Hill, Florida; Chester Schmidt, Fairhope, Alabama; daughter-in-law Susan Schmidt Stiles, Cantonment, Florida; twenty-four grandchildren; fifty-one great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Elsie Alvarado, Spanaway, Washington; Freda and Lewis Voth, Buhl, Idaho; brother, Edward and Susie Schmidt, Moundridge; two brothers in law, Willard and LaVeda Schmidt, Montezuma; Ben and Sylvia Schmidt, Atwater, California; two sisters-in-law, Norma Koehn, Atmore, Alabama, and Pat Unruh, Dodge City. Preceding him in death were his parents, parents-in-law, five brothers, two sisters, one son, one great-grandson; five brothers-in-law; three sisters-in-law.

Funeral service will be held at Homeland Mennonite Church, Montezuma on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at Homeland Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Friday, February 7, 2020 from noon to 5:00 PM. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com .