Thomas “Tom” Schmidt, age 73, of Annandale, died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, October 17, 2025, at his beloved Lake Sylvia home.
Memorial Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 3, 2025, at Kimball United Methodist Church, Kimball, with Pastor Ric Koehn officiating. Burial will follow at Fairhaven Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday and one hour prior to the service on Monday, both at the church. A prayer service with sharing will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Thomas Alan Schmidt was born on August 4, 1952, in St. Cloud, Minn., to Darrel and Elizabeth (DeChaney) Schmidt. He grew up on the family farm near Kimball, where he learned the values of hard work and dedication early on. He was baptized and confirmed at Concordia Lutheran Church in Fairhaven. Tom graduated from Kimball High School in 1970 and soon joined his father, Darrel, in the curb and gutter business, eventually becoming the owner and operator of Schmidt Curb Co. He led the company with integrity and passion until selling in 2013, continuing to lend his expertise on occasion thereafter.
In 1974, he married LuAnn Marschel, and they had three children, April, Tony and Abby. In 1990, he married Lou Blake, and they spent 25 years together, which included Tom gaining a bonus daughter, Kelly. For the past 10 years, Tom enjoyed his partner, Maggie Bania, becoming engaged on Christmas Day of 2024.
From a young age, Tom battled rheumatic fever twice, which ultimately affected his heart and precluded him from playing sports. However, undeterred by this obstacle, he embraced his natural aptitude for math and statistics, allowing his mind to thrive. He also found joy in the challenge of breaking horses.
A sober individual from the age of 35, Tom exemplified strength and determination throughout his life. He reveled in the pleasures of tasty food, often visiting new restaurants, and traveling the United States, proudly marking off all 50 states from his list. He stayed engaged with the world through his favorite news channel, Fox News. He cherished time spent with friends and family, especially his children and grandchildren, often indulging in fishing trips, pontoon rides on the lake, and road trips that became cherished memories.
Tom was known for his welcoming presence, generous nature and jovial spirit. He embraced life fully, drawing on his roots as a smart farm kid, determined to spread joy and positivity in whatever he did.
He is survived by his fiancee, Maggie Bania of Otsego; children, April Schmidt (Mark McKee) of Forest Lake, Tony Schmidt of Watkins, and Abby (Daryl) Zenzen of Sauk Centre; bonus-daughter, Kelly Kneeland of Bloomington; grandchildren, Amelia, Matthew and Isaac Zenzen, Ari, Kai and Annamae Goodermont; siblings, Natalie (Charles) Johnson of Kimball and Julianne Shirley of Bastrop, Texas; sister-in-law, Jeanne Schmidt of Annandale; fur babies, Charlotte and Poppy; and many nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Darrel and Elizabeth; stepmother, Luverne; and brother, Rollie.
Tom’s grandchildren will serve as urn bearers. Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association or Holy Family School in Sauk Centre. Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Kimball.
Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute and Funeral Webcast are online at www.dingmannfuneral.com.