Donald Vern Schmidt

Donald Vern “Don” Schmidt, age 91, of Watkins, formerly of Fairhaven, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2022, at St. Otto’s Care Center in Little Falls. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Concordia Lutheran Church in South Haven. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. The service will be livestreamed at www.ertlfuneral.com. Interment will be held at Concordia Cemetery in South Haven following the service Donald Vern Schmidt, the son of Vern and Gertrude (Renken) Schmidt, was born on July 21, 1930, in Fairhaven, Minnesota. A graduate of Kimball High School, Don proudly served in the United States Navy from 1951-1955. Don worked as a laborer for many years until retiring in 1992 and was a member of the American Legion Post 453 in Watkins for 30 years. He was united in marriage to Geraldine Danelke in 1970 and the pair were blessed with a daughter, Robin. Don's love was his family; especially his grandkids, who he had affectionately nicknamed Snickelfritz, Tiger, and Squirty. He never missed a Twins game, loved a good Euchre game, watching westerns, fishing and endless crossword puzzles. In addition to his wife of 51 years, Geraldine of Watkins, Don is survived by his daughter, Robin (Bryant) Doege, of Little Falls; his grandchildren, Meghan Draper, of Cokato, Emily Doege, of Trimont, Mason Doege, of Fort Stewart, Georgia and Bailey Doege, of Little Falls; sisters, Audrey, of Frenchtown, MT, and Valerie of Neosho MO; many beloved nieces and nephews; and his beloved chihuahua, Daisy Mae. He was preceded in death by his parents, Vern and Gertrude Schmidt; a brother, Milton Schmidt; and a sister, Vivian Vadner.