Harold Walter Schmidt

Harold Walter Schmidt was born August 22, 1926 at Ft. Morgan, Colorado to Edwin C. and Emma E. (Prottengier) Schmidt. He became a child of God through Holy Baptism before leaving the hospital and was confirmed in the Lutheran faith as a teenager.

He attended grades 1 through 12 in Ft. Morgan schools graduating in 1944. Growing up on a farm gave him a love of growing things. He helped with the farming, milking cows (by hand) and raising livestock. His mother also saw to it that he had piano lessons which gave him the love of music. He sang in his high school acapella choir.

In 1944 his parents purchased a farm near Platteville, Colorado and within a year or so he was on his way to Denver where he received a business school education. Upon graduating, his first job was at Denver's Union Station with the Western Weighing and Inspection Bureau as a loss and damage inspector. His next employment was with the Western Wood Preserving Co. as a clerk and freight traffic manager. After a few more years he entered the financial services field...insurance, investments, income tax preparation.

With the move to Platteville, he joined his family in attending services at St. John Lutheran Church in Platteville. He was immediately asked if he would play the piano for services, and he said yes. Thus began his long service playing, first the piano and then the organ, when it was acquired, spanning almost 70 years.

In 1948 he married Betty Jean Ross. They lived in Denver and began their working careers. They were blessed to have 76 years together.

He and Betty enjoyed traveling around the country, to include Hawaii and Canada. And then the special trip in 1984 to Europe where one of the highlights was a visit with his mother's relatives in Germany, still living on the home place since 1575, referred to as the "mill" because they had a mill there for the community. They visited other countries in Europe ending in England before returning home.

Harold and Betty, even though they lived in Denver, continued to attend church at St. John Lutheran Church in Platteville. He was also blessed to serve on the WELS Home Mission Board, both at District and National level, for 40 years. He enjoyed the trips around the country and working with many different people over the years. Many times, he and Betty were just passing each other at the airport it seemed!

One thing Harold dearly loved was "old cars". He thoroughly enjoyed driving and working on them. they were more comfortable for him too! He also enjoyed fixing anything. He was inquisitive as to how something was made; and if it wasn't working, he would spend hours trying to find out why and repair it. In his spare time he enjoyed working around his home and gardening.

In the 1970's Harold joined Betty in the game of golf and they enjoyed playing together; and if traveling, their clubs went with them, just in case they spotted a nice course along the way.

Harold leaves his wife, Betty, and many nieces and nephews. A brother, Paul, and sister Ruth Rhoades preceded him in death.