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Robert W. Schmidt, 99, of Rockham, SD, died Sunday, November 29, 2015 at the Eastern Star Home in Redfield.

Robert's funeral service will be Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church in Redfield. Reverend Peter M. Utecht will officiate. Burial will be in the Rockham Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 3:00-7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Robert was born on a farm near Rockham, SD on February 25, 1916 to Henry and Annie (Ehrich) Schmidt. He attended country school in Rockham and completed six weeks of high school. Robert left high school to engage in farming.

On June 28, 1939, Robert married Irene Becker. Shortly following their union, Robert and Irene settled on the family farm south of Rockham where they farmed and raised two children.

During Robert's many years of farming, some of his proudest moments included raising mink and topping the mink market. Robert worked with mink for fifteen years and then switched gears to beef farming which he continued until his retirement.

Some of Robert's hobbies after retirement included building rock gardens, gardening, tending to his own apple orchard, and raising geese.

Robert was a member of the Messiah Lutheran Church where he served as an elder and a trustee. Robert lived on the family farm until 2011 when he entered the nursing home due to his wife's declining health. Robert and Irene were married for 71 years when Irene passed on April 8, 2011.

Robert is survived by his son Albert Schmidt of Rockham; his grandchildren: Robert (Amy) Turner of Redfield and Dawn (Ted Heisinger) Turner of Madison, WI and his great granddaughter Jadie Turner of Redfield. Robert is also survived by his sister Emmaline Corkins of Redfield and many nieces and nephews.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife Irene; his daughter Janet and his siblings: Lillian, Mildred, Albert and Arlene.

Tuesday, December 01, 2015
3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home
101 East 7th Avenue
Redfield, South Dakota 57469

Wednesday, December 02, 2015
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Messiah Lutheran Church
225 East 1st Street
Redfield, South Dakota 57469