William C. Schmidt, 86, Wabasha

 William C. Schmidt, age 86, of Wabasha, died Sunday, March 12, 2017, at St. Elizabeth’s Nursing Home in Wabasha. He was born September 15, 1930, in Wabasha, the oldest of ten children born to Julius and Albertine (Moser) Schmidt. He attended country school and then studied at the University of Minnesota Agriculture School from 1945-1948. He enlisted in the U. S. Air Force and served his country from 1950-1954. He was a Korean War veteran having served as a radio operator for the 6148th Tactical Control Squadron which was part of the 6147th Tactical Control Group, nicknamed the Mosquitos. He flew in many missions while stationed in Korea, recording over 600 hours of flight time. His 100th mission flown was February 2, 1953. Following his years of military service, he returned stateside and worked for Gunite traveling throughout the Midwest and southern United States sandblasting bridges, canals and tunnels. It was during this work that he met his future wife, Marlene Vanausdoll. They were married May 17, 1958, in her hometown of Jerseyville, IL. They then moved back to his hometown, and Bill worked for a couple of smaller local employers before beginning his career as a heavy equipment operator for the Wabasha County Highway Department. He worked for the department for 34 years, retiring in 1993. During retirement, Bill drove truck for Con Agra in Lake City for ten years.
 Bill was passionate about supporting the local veterans and volunteered numerous hours of service. He was a member and past commander of both the Wabasha American Legion Post #50 and the Burkhardt-Roemer VFW Post #4086. He was also a member of the Dumfries Sportsman’s Club, served as president one year and raised pheasants another year for release into the wild. Later in life, he volunteered at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Wabasha as a member of its Guardian Angels.
 Family meant everything to him, he not only loved spending time with his own large extended family, but also traveling to see his wife’s family in her hometown, which he thought of as his second home. He was an avid reader, time spent with his children and grandchildren included reading when they were small, wagon rides, canoeing and camping. He was known as a kind and gentle man that enjoyed nature, caring for his lawn, trees and gardens, Sunday car rides, watching MASH, traveling with friends, telling stories and laughing at a good joke.
 He is survived by his wife, Marlene Schmidt, Wabasha, MN; daughters, Lisa Bodenheim, Hastings, MN, Linda Schmidt, Rollingstone, MN; four grandchildren, Jonathan and Sarah Bodenheim and Jessica Schmidt and Madeline Copeman; former son-in-law Michael Bodenheim; sisters and brothers-in-law, Yolanda and Douglas Stone, Pine River, MN, Marianne Stamschror, Wabasha, MN, Joan and Howard Schmitz, Monument, CO, Carol Severson, Wabasha, MN; brothers and sisters-in-law, John Schmidt, Rochester, MN, Tom and Sandi Schmidt, Theilman, MN, Charles and Barb Schmidt, Theilman, MN, James and Judy Schmidt, Rosemount, MN, Stephen and Rosi Schmidt, Wabasha, MN; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by one son, Gene Schmidt, his parents, Julius and Albertine Schmidt, former son-in-law Todd Copeman, brothers-in-law, Dan Stamschror and Bob Severson, sister-in-law, Joyce Schmidt, nephew, Steven Severson and great-niece, Gabrielle Severson.
 A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at 10:30 am at the Wabasha United Church of Christ with the Reverend James Clausen officiating. Interment will follow at St. Felix Cemetery in Wabasha. Military rites will be performed by the Wabasha American Legion and the Burkhardt-Roemer VFW Posts and the MNARNG Honor Guard. Family and friends may call at the Abbott Funeral Home in Wabasha on Friday, March 24, 2017, from 4-8pm and at church the following day one hour before the service. Memorials are preferred to St. Elizabeth’s Community Development Foundation, 1200 5th Grant Blvd. W., Wabasha, MN 55981. The Abbott Funeral Home of Wabasha is in charge of arrangements. www.abbottfh.com