Henry Arnold Schmidt

HENRY ARNOLD SCHMIDT was the oldest child born to Dave and Ella (Vanden Bosch) Schmidt on September 10, 1929 at their family farm six miles northeast of Edgerton, Minnesota. He went to country school until he was in fourth grade and then he attended Edgerton Christian Elementary School. He did not attend high school as his father felt he was needed on the farm, but he later took his G.E.D. test and received his high school diploma. In 1951, Henry entered the U.S. Army and was sent to Germany after completing basic training. He received his discharge on August 1, 1953. On August 21, 1953, Henry married Evelyn Docter, and they moved to a farm place one mile south of Henry’s parents’ home. In 1960, they adopted their son, Douglas, at 18 months old, and in 1961, they adopted their daughter, Darla currently of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at 4 months old. Henry and Evelyn bought a house in Edgerton, Minnesota and moved there in 1981. Henry continued to crop farm, and in the winter he worked for Kallemeyn Insulation. Evelyn passed away on September 8, 1984. He was later united in marriage to Regina (VanderWoude) Tinklenberg on August 17, 1985. Through this marriage, Henry gained six children: Gelene (Pete) VanNoort of Sioux Falls, Wanda (Alan) Camarigg of Hills, Minnesota, Barbara (Phil) Bootsma of Melvin, Iowa, Owen (Jeannette) Tinklenberg of Edgerton, Warren “Jack” (DaVonn) Tinklenberg of Edgerton, and Terry (Tricia) Tinklenberg of Edgerton.

After the couple was married, they resided in Edgerton and were members of Bethel Christian Reformed Church. Henry and Regina spent part of the winter in Mission, Texas for many years where Henry loved camping, golfing, and spending time in the sun. He also continued to crop farm with Glenn Klingenberg who bought his home farm place. In addition to farming and traveling with his wife, Henry was also a member of the American Legion for 65 years. On September 17, 2016, Henry moved to the Minnesota Veteran’s Home in Luverne, Minnesota. He resided here until his passing on March 28, 2018 at the age of 88 years, 6 months, and 18 days.

Henry is survived by his wife, Regina; two children; six step-children; four grandchildren; nineteen step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; thirteen step-great-grandchildren; one step-great-great-grandchild; two sisters, Florence Brouwer of Wisconsin and AnnaMae (Pete) Dykema of Byron Center, Michigan; and one brother, Duane (Carol) Schmidt of Edgerton. He is also remembered by special friends, Glenn and Sandy Klingenberg and family of Edgerton. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Evelyn; his parents; two step-grandsons, Jarrod Camarigg and Charlie Bootsma; two brothers-in-law, John Brouwer and Elmer Docter; and one sister-in-law, Lois Schmidt.

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