Diane Barbara Schmidt

DIANE BARBARA (HOLMES) SCHMIDT was born to Maurice and Josephine (Matz) Holmes on June 18, 1944 in Breckenridge, MN. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith in Wahpeton, ND in November of 1944, and later confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church, LCMS, in Breckenridge. She attended elementary and high school in Breckenridge and went on to attend college at Moorhead State University in Moorhead, MN, Western Illinois University in Macomb, IL, Carroll College in Helena, MT, and St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN. On August 14, 1966 Diane was united in marriage to Reverend Stephen C. Schmidt at Grace Lutheran Church, LCMS, in Breckenridge. The couple called many communities home over the course of their marriage which included Fargo, ND, Macomb, IL, Springfield, IL, Helena, MT, Salem, OR, St. Louis, MO, Three Forks, MT, Clear Lake, MN, Odessa, MN, Sioux Falls, SD, and Luverne, MN. Diane made each community “home” for their four children and taught by her example the importance of becoming actively involved.

Diane taught in many different locations and capacities over her career. She was given the opportunity to move often and experience teaching many different age levels. During her career, Diane taught Kindergarten, Elementary, and Middle school children; as well as Special Education and Head Start. Working with at risk children and counseling their parents was what she held closest to her heart as an educator. Diane also served the communities she lived in through her volunteering. She served on the Fargo Public Schools Library Committee, PTA in numerous communities, was a hospice volunteer and served meals with the Banquet in Sioux Falls. She lent her musical talents to the Big Sky Singers and Helena Symphony Choir, and passed on her love for music to others by giving piano lessons. Diane enjoyed reading and the outdoor activities of camping, fishing, tennis and swimming.

Diane lived out her faith and most recently was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, LCMS, in Luverne, Minnesota. She served her Lord through the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, singing and directing church choirs, playing organ, teaching Sunday School, directing and teaching Vacation Bible School, serving on the Board of Education and other church boards. During her teen and college years she was active in Gamma Delta and Walther League.

On Monday, July 9, 2012 Diane died peacefully at the Sanford Luverne Hospice Cottage at the age of 68 years and 21 days.

Diane will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Reverend Stephen Schmidt, of Luverne; her four children, Erich of Luverne, MN, Vanessa of Austin, TX, Matthew and his wife Cecilia of Sioux Falls, SD, Bethany and her husband Salvador Arreola of Austin, TX; a grandson, Jonathon Schmidt of Sioux Falls, SD; and a sister, Patricia May and her husband Robert of Lakeville, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, Maurice and Josephine Holmes.