Roland Raymond Schmidt

Roland R. Schmidt age 86 of Tracy, MN died at his home on Friday, February 13, 2009. Services will be 11:00 AM Monday, February 16, 2009 at Tracy Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 PM Sunday, February 15, 2009 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM and continuing one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be at the Tracy City Cemetery. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements. Roland Raymond Schmidt was born August 15, 1922 to Emil and Bertha (Stahn) Schmidt on the family farm south east of Tracy, MN in Springdale Township, Redwood County. He was baptized and confirmed in the German Lutheran Church in Tracy and attended Country School District #98. He then attended Tracy Public Schools. Roland was married to Esther Else until her death in 1954. On December 12, 1962 Roland then married Marcella Truwe and they made their home on the Schmidt family farm, which became a Century Farm in 1984. Roland was a farmer his whole life and enjoyed working the land. He retired from farming in 1984 but continued to work beside his son, Larry wherever he could, until the time of his death. It is said that one never really retires from farming, once it’s in your blood; it never leaves and is a part of every breath you take. That described Roland’s life, but his greatest pride and joy was his family and spending time with his grandchildren. Between the planting and harvest, Roland could be found mowing lawn, puttering around his farm making improvements and in his gardens. He spent many hours there and the fruits of his labor were plentiful, as he shared many vegetables with his family and friends. His flower gardens were also beautiful. He also had horses on the farm and loved working with them. From his younger years farming with a team of horses, he continued to raise them throughout his life. He had a good sense of humor and liked to tease. His children will always remember his teaching them to respect animals, nature and the land. Roland busied himself in the winter with his famous Vegetable Beef Soup and Bean Soup, which he loved to share with others. He enjoyed reading horse magazines, watching western shows and was never at a loss when asked to fix something. He was a member of the Tracy Lutheran Church, the Pony of America and the Appaloosa Horse Association. On Friday, February 13, 2009 Roland died, after a courageous battle with cancer, on the farm where he spent his whole life, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 86. Roland is survived by his wife, Marcella of Tracy, MN; two sons, Allen (Mary) Schmidt and Larry Schmidt, both of Tracy, MN; three daughters, Rolana Schmidt of Tyler, MN, Theresa (Dave) Thomson of Ortonville, MN and Lynda Schmidt of Marshall, MN; nine grandchildren, Joshua Schmidt, Leah Schmidt, Caleb Schmidt, Bobbi Jo Alberta, Donald Thoma, Lindsey Thomson, David Thomson, Paige Thomson, and Jared Schmidt; six great grandchildren, Julia, Jenna, Jada, Ariel, Bailey and Jayde; one great great granddaughter, Jane; two brothers, Myron (Marion) Schmidt of Slayton and Elgin Schmidt of Lakefield; one sister, Bernice Edwards of Tracy; many nieces, nephews and friends. His parents, Emil and Bertha, first wife, Esther, one grandson, Philip, one sister, Aileen, and mother-in-law, Bernardine preceded him in death. Blessed be his memory.