Doris Smidt

Doris Mae (Wrege) Smidt passed away in her sleep on December 22, 2020 at the Hospice House in Pipestone, Minnesota due to complications of kidney and heart failure. She was born on November 22, 1928 in Holland, Minnesota to Alfred and Ida (Harkema) Wrege.
Doris was a remarkable woman. Living through the Great Depression and poverty, she was a determined hard worker who made wise and practical decisions. Going from setting bowling pins at the Holland Bowling Alley to becoming the manager of the cafeteria at the Pipestone Livestock Auction Market. Even without a formal education, her knowledge and life skills were amazing. She was a leader. This was evident when she became president of the Pipestone American Legion Auxiliary. On November 29, 1946 she married Alvin Klaas Smidt of Edgerton, Minnesota. They started out living with Alvin’s parents, worked hard side by side at the farm they rented, built a home east of Pipestone, and finally bought a townhome in Pipestone. As active members of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Trosky, Minnesota, Doris and Alvin raised their four children in the Christian faith, emphasizing honesty and caring for others. Her children learned early on if they stepped out of bounds they might as well fess up because “Mama FBI” would find out anyway! Doris was a talented quilter, making a graduation quilt for each of her nine grandchildren. She was thoughtful and giving, remembering her 18 beloved great grandchildren on their birthdays every year.
Doris is survived by her four children, Lucinda (John) Krattenmaker of Glenwood, Minnesota, Vicki Bendt of Las Vegas, Nevada, Rodger (Gloria) Smidt of Pipestone, Brenda (Dale) Krech of Prescott, Wisconsin; brother, Gene Wrege of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and brother-in-law, Kenneth Pape of Pipestone. She is further survived by her nine grandchildren, John Ryan Krattenmaker and Breanne (Krattenmaker) Gifford, Samantha (Bendt) VonEye and Jessica (Bendt) Elliott, Jeremy, Bradley and Brian Smidt, Ellie (Krech) Griffith and Jake Krech; 18 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 54 years, Alvin; her parents; siblings, Albert, Robert & Marvin Wrege, Janet Matson and Barbara Pape; granddaughter, Erica Bendt; and son-in-law, Jerry Bendt.
If you would like to pay tribute to Doris Mae (Wrege) Smidt, consider others before yourself, make practical choices, waste nothing, and grow stronger in your Christian faith. Amen.
Blessed be the memory of Doris Smidt!



A livestream of Doris' funeral service will be available to watch through the St. Paul Lutheran Church facebook page and youtube channel.