Annella Marie Schmidt

Annella Marie Schmidt, 85, Beardsley, MN, passed away Friday, September 22, 2017, at the Browns Valley Health Center.

Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, September 26, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Beardsley with Father Brian Oestreich officiating. Music will be provided by organist Deb Farwell and vocalists Sue Sykora and Stacey Borgheiinck.

Burial will be in the St. Mary's Cemetery, Beardsley. Honorary pallbearers will be the Daughters of Isabella and the Browns Valley Health Center staff. Active pallbearers will be Andy Schmidt, Jeff Schmidt, Nigel Kringler, Albert Holker, Corey Jahnke and Joe Haukos.

Visitation will be Monday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

Annella was born in rural Benson, Swift County, MN, on November 1, 1931, to parents Anthony and Mary (Dineen) Mead. She lived with her family in Benson, De Graff, and Chokio area attending District #30 in Steven's County. In 1941 her family moved to Beardsley; she graduated from Beardsley High School as the Valedictorian of her class. While in high school she was the first editor of the yearbook and first homecoming queen when homecoming festivities resumed after WWII. In high school, she worked as a writer for the County newspaper and as a clerk in the local grocery store. After graduating from high school, she worked in a Savings and Loan business in Minneapolis and was taking mail correspondence classes to become a flight attendant when Joseph (Joe) Schmidt proposed to her.

On Sept 27, 1952, she was united in marriage to Joseph Schmidt at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Beardsley. Joe and Annella farmed in rural Beardsley and raised nine children. When her last child went off to school, she began to work at the Beardsley School as a classroom aide and later went to work at the Browns Valley School. She worked in the cleaning department at the Browns Valley Health Center and kept the books for St. Mary's for many years. Joe passed away on July 4, 1980. She continued to live on the farm until entering the Browns Valley Health Center in February of 2009.

Annella was active in State and Local offices of the Daughters of Isabella being named the Outstanding Daughter in 2004. She was a member of St. Mary's Altar Society, a 4-H leader for many years, belonged to the Chat and Chew club, and was involved in the activities of her children.

Annella enjoyed time spent with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, gardening especially her flowers, making quilts making one for each of her grandchildren. She sewed many outfits and some formal dresses for her children. She enjoyed watching the MN Twins and even getting to a few games at the Dome, working at the County Fair with the 4-H club and later with the Open Class entries. She cherished the trip she and her sister took when they traveled to Ireland, the home of her ancestors. She was always up for a game of whist.

Cherishing Annella's memory are her children: Val (Gordy) Kringler of Moorhead, Greg (Michele) Schmidt of Beardsley, Mary (Rick) Engel of MT, Loretta (Jim) Kruger of Browns Valley, Diane (Mark) Jahnke of Brownton, Dave (Anita) Schmidt of Neenah, WI, Louise (Duane) Holker of Litchfield, Kate (Reverend Dan) Haukos of Anoka, and Eileen (Bernie) Jahnke of Hastings; 22 Grandchildren; 18 Great Grandchildren with 2 on the way; one sister, Sister Mary Joseph Mead of Norfolk, NE; and a sister-in-law, Ruthann (Dave) Ellis of Clearwater, MN.

Annella was preceded in death by her Husband, Joseph; Parents Anthony and Mary; Sister Darlene; Brother Virgil; Sister-in-law Georgia (Frey); Granddaughters Karen Schmidt and Lisa Schmidt; and Granddaughter-in-law Jesse Schmidt.