Avit Francis Schmidt

Avit F. Schmidt, Sr. 80-year-old resident of Pierz, MN passed away May 28, 2017 at the VA Health Care System in St. Cloud, MN. A visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Thursday, June 1 at the Emblom Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, with a prayer service at 6 PM. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls.

Avit was born on February 20, 1937 in Austin, MN to Edward and Hazel Schmidt. The family moved to Little Falls in 1946, and he graduated from Little Falls High School with the class of 1955. Avit then joined the US Navy, serving until 1965. In November of 1976 he entered the Minnesota National Guard. On April 1 of 1967, he was united in marriage to Bonnie Gramley in South St. Paul. The coupled lived in St. Paul until 1969 when they moved to a farm south of Freedhem. In 1975, they moved to Avits family farm. Avit worked at Swift Meat Packing, Larson Boats, and for 23 years at the Hennepin Paper Mill. He enjoyed hunting with his sons, grandsons, and nephews, and fishing with his grandson and brother. He loved the outdoors and driving through the woods with his dog. Avit was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a member of the Little Falls American Legion, NRA, and the Arbor Day Foundation.

Avit is survived by his wife, Bonnie Schmidt of Pierz; sons, Avit Jr. Frank (Terri) Schmidt of Pierz, Tony (Jamie) Schmidt of Little Falls, Kevin Esping of Shakopee; daughters, Kelly Ann (Jeff) Brill of Pierz, Michelle Micky (finace, Bruce Montzka) Koering of Fort Ripley, Teresa Tadlock of Quincy, IL, Ann Marie Schmidt of CA, Lillian (Andrew) Breen of St. Cloud; brothers, Delwin (Margie) Schmidt of St. Paul, Roger (Ellie) Schmidt of Shakopee; sister, Edes Gerwing of Little Falls; sister-in-law, Flossie Schmidt of St. Paul; 24 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Delbert, Julia, Bertille; children, Charles, Joseph, Clifford, and Barbara.