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Chester D. Schmidt • 1931 - 2010 Chester was born on February 12, 1931, a son of Adam and Kate (Gering) Schmidt in Martin, ND. He was raised in Harvey, ND. In 1950, Chester joined the United States Air Force. He proudly served his country during the Korean conflict and was honorably discharged in 1954. Following his discharge, he returned to Harvey, for a short time. Chester moved to Jamestown, ND for three years where he worked for a contractor and also part time at a music store, where he gave accordion lessons and had a 15 minute radio program every Saturday. In 1957, under the G.I. Bill, Chester attended the North Dakota State School of Science, specializing in drafting and estimating. In 1960, he moved to Minot, where he worked for Lesley and Benton General Contracting, where he was the designer and estimator. In 1969, he accepted a Civil Service position at the MAFB as a draftsman, eventually being promoted to supervisor. Chester furthered his education, obtaining his Architectural Engineering degree from Washington State College. He was again promoted to an Architectural Engineer ETWDC. He worked on many projects within the Civil Service program, until 1985, when he went into business for himself. His main focus was stained glass windows in churches. He worked with 31 different congregations both new and restoring including Christ Lutheran Church and Our Savior Lutheran Church, both of Minot; St. James Catholic Church and Bethel Baptist Church in Powers Lake, ND; Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church and Our Savior Free Lutheran Church in Stanley, ND; Immanuel Church in Roseglen, ND; Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Methodist Church in Bowbells, and many others. Chester was united in marriage to Elizabeth Suchor on September 3, 1974 at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Minot, ND. Surviving relatives: Wife Elizabeth, Minot; brothers: Raymond Schmidt, Hampton, West Virginia; Gilbert (Mary Lou) Schmidt, Harvey, ND; sisters; Gladys Bennet, Boise, ID; Chester was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters Vaugh DeLeath, Bonnie Schmidt and Delores Keller. Visitation: Thursday, April 29, 2010 from 2-7 at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot Funeral Service: Friday, April 30, 2010 at 11:00 am at Our Lady Of Grace Catholic Church, Minot Burial: Friday at 1 pm at Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot Celebrant: Father Bruce Krebs Music Honorary Bearers: Chester’s family and friends Active Bearers: John Fishpaw, Pat Limke, Lawrence Larson, Sid Belzer, Clay Rein, Cary Schmidt Military Honors accorded by the Minot Air Force Base Honor Guard. Immediately following the service, everyone is invited to join the family in the lower level of the church for a time of lunch and fellowship.
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Chester D. Schmidt, 79, Minot, died Monday, April 26, 2010 in a Minot hospital.