Richard G Schmidt, 94, finished his earthly journey at St. Luke’s Home, Dickinson and entered heaven on Sunday, October 22, 2023. Richard’s Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m., Friday, October 27, 2023 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Dickinson with Rev. Lisa Lewton officiating. Military Honors will be provided by Dickinson American Legion Post 3 Honor Guard. Interment will take place at Dickinson Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.
Richard Schmidt was born on May 5, 1929 in Dickinson to Joseph C. and Marian (Faller) Schmidt. He attended rural elementary school in Billings County then proudly joined the Army in 1948. While stationed in The Aleutian Islands in Alaska during the outbreak of the Korean Conflict, Richard’s ship was directed back to the U.S. instead of to the Korean Conflict. While in Washington DC, he drove an ambulance and transferred many returning and wounded war buddies from Andrew’s Air Force Base to Walter Reed Medical Center. After his honorable discharge, Richard helped build the Garrison Dam as a heavy equipment operator. While attending Dickinson State Teachers College, Richard met his life-long best friend and partner Dorathy Langendorff. They married on June 17, 1954. Together they raised their family, and over the next 40+ years, owned and operated Schmidt Dairy Queen, and later the Dairy Barn on Villard Street. Richard’s outside the box thinking, brought about two special DQ treats many never knew were unique to Dickinson.
Bar-B-Ques and Artic Rolls became most popular; now both fond memories of days gone by. Richard’s love of people shone through every day as he operated and worked his business. “Mr. Schmidt” was always seen greeting customers with a SMILE: his priceless gift. Beyond the Dairy Queen, he enjoyed working outdoors with a Honey Bee, then an Ostrich Farm operation for a few years. In Decembers, Richard loved to spread Christmas Cheer playing Santa Claus and shared Christmas goodies to young and old alike. He also served with the Dickinson Area Chamber of Commerce, Rough Rider Parade Committee, and United Way throughout his career. Once fully retired, Richard would “smile” and say, “I have the day off today”, and could be found in his den reading his favorite book, “The Bible”, or taking a well-deserved nap. He joined the Barbershop Chorus during those years and enjoyed visiting hospitals and nursing homes to bring that “smile” to others.
Richard is survived by two sisters: Evelyn (Edward) Kinzel, Billings, Mont., Margaret (Donavon) Schumacher, Bismarck; and sister-in-law, Josephine Schmidt, Dickinson. Surviving descendants include three children: Craig (Mary) Schmidt, Minto, Blaine (Robin) Schmidt, Anchorage, AK and Marla Beth (Spike) Schmidt-Quainoo, Bismarck; three grandsons: Ryan (Cecily), Grand Forks, Brandon (Margaret), Los Angeles, Calif., and Kelley (Ashley), St. Louis, Mo.; followed by three great-grandsons: Killian, Breckin, and Nico; one great-granddaughter: Ivy; and two step-granddaughters, Sarah Diemling and Jennifer Merly; along with many nieces and nephews.
Richard is preceded in death by his wife, Dorathy; his parents, Joseph and Marian Schmidt; brothers, Ludwig, Fred, and Arnold Schmidt; sisters, Florence Obrigewitsch and Delores Baseflug; and one step-grandson, Samuel A. Quainoo.
Richard’s final wink, and message to all his family, past employees and customers, friends, and the wonderful care team at St Luke’s Home he leaves behind will forever be… “KEEP SMILING”.
