Maxine Schmidt, 86

Maxine Anna Schmidt, 86, died January 4, 2013 at Community Memorial Home in Osakis.

Maxine was born April 4, 1926 to Theodore and Grace (Maher) Kraemer in a farmhouse north of Osakis. When she was 4 years old, the family moved to a farm south of Highway 27. Maxine attended District 33 Country School. When the family moved to a farm north of town again, she attended District 12 and 22, known as the Ketelle School. This building was later relocated and is now one of the retail shops at Just Like Grandma’s in Osakis. After Maxine graduated from high school in 1944, she worked in the grocery department at the Herberger’s Store in Osakis. Even working six days a week, her monthly salary was only $55.

When she was 17, Maxine met Eddie Schmidt at a dance in Miltona. And although their first date had to be cancelled because of a quarantine for scarlet fever, they soon fell in love and were married on June 4, 1946 at Immaculate Conception Church in Osakis.

Their first home was a farm south of Carlos, and in 1947 they purchased the farm they still own near Nelson. In addition to raising five children, Maxine also worked as a waitress at the Farm Court Supper Club for 15 years until it was destroyed by a fire. In 1968, Maxine went back to work for Herberger’s at their Alexandria store. During the winter months, she also worked part-time at the Corral Restaurant in Nelson. After 20 additional years and three different locations, Maxine finally retired from Herberger’s in 1988 at the age of 62.

Maxine was an excellent seamstress and was soon hired to do alterations for Special Events Bridal Shop in Alexandria. She sewed many wedding and bridesmaid dresses, including one for her only daughter, Paulette. She would do fittings at the shop every Wednesday and Saturday and then go home to sew the alterations, often working long into the early morning hours. Maxine didn’t mind though, as she always claimed sewing was a way for her to relax.

Besides her talent for sewing, Maxine also enjoyed loving and spoiling her children and grandchildren. She loved to shop for them, and since Christmas was her favorite holiday, she would begin buying Christmas gifts for her family as early as January. She also loved gardening, music, cards, dancing and socializing with her many neighbors, friends and family. Never one to raise her voice, Maxine was a very kind and gentle person, always ready to share a warm smile with anyone she met. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Blessed be her memory.

Maxine is survived by her husband of more than 66 years, Eddie Schmidt of Osakis; children, Gary (Jeanie) Schmidt of Fredricks, SD, John (Marilyn) Schmidt of Alexandria, Mike (Mary) Schmidt of Nelson, Paulette (Richard) Dunn and Paul (Cheryl) Schmidt, all of Osakis; 13 grandchildren, Delrene Tschida, Rebecca Ellman, Peter, James, Jason, Joshua, Matthew and Mark Schmidt, Megan Prescott, Robbie and Rory Dunn, Jenna Helgerson and Tana Ziesmer; 13 great-grandchildren, Zoei, Emma, Addy, Marilee, Grace, Hunter, Mya, Nora, Bronson, Violet, Jackson, Tyla and Jakoby; brother, Ronald (Pauline) Kraemer of Osakis; sisters, Marvel (Donnie) Sprague of Ham Lake, Carolyn (Bob) Wieland of Alexandria; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Grace Kraemer.

A Mass of Resurrection was held for Maxine on Wednesday, January 9 at Immaculate Conception Church in Osakis with Fr. Andrew Marthaler officiating. Interment was at Calvary Cemetery in Osakis with active and honorary pallbearers being her grandchildren.

Arrangements are with Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis; www.royhetland.com.

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