Bryan R. Schmidt

Bryan R. Schmidt, age 41, of Parkers Prairie, died of COVID-19 complications on Sunday, December 19, 2021, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota.

Mass of Christian Burial for Bryan’s cremated remains will be at 11 a.m., Friday, June 3, 2022, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Urbank with Fr. Peter VanderWeyst and Fr. Jeff Ethen concelebrating.

There will be a gathering at the church Thursday, June 2, 2022, from 5-7 pm to say goodbye to Bryan and visit with friends and family. There will be a time of sharing of stories at 6:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service. Everyone is invited for lunch and time to visit with each other following the service and burial at the church parish hall across the street from the church.

Bryan Raymond Schmidt was born on December 1, 1980, the oldest of three children to Raymond Jr. and Bernadine (Terfehr) Schmidt at Parkers Prairie District Hospital in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota. He was baptized, confirmed and a lifetime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Urbank. Bryan spent his entire life as a farmer. He knew farming well and could never imagine doing anything other than farming. Bryan grew up on the family farm near Block Lake north of Urbank. Bryan and his brother Andy took over the physical farm work after their dad passed away in 1999, and they fully took over the farm after their mother passed away in 2003. Bryan, Andy, and youngest brother, Bobby are the 5th generation of Schmidt’s to grow up on this farm. Bryan continued to farm his family’s land along with other land he rented all over Otter Tail and Douglas Counties until his death. Bryan hauled his last load of hay the day before he went to the hospital. Bryan’s love for farming has already been passed on to hia 11-year-old son Jaxson. Bryan and Jaxson and even 2-year-old son, Kenny created many special family memories over farm work. Bryan also enjoyed hunting and fishing; and particularly enjoyed doing it with his family. Teaching his kids the outdoor lifestyle brought him great joy.

Bryan was united in marriage to Pam Zimmerman on December 20, 2019, in South Dakota. Together they had three children, Jaxson age 11, Kenny age 2, and Amanda born November 6, 2021. Bryan was the best dad to these kids. He was so proud of them and did everything he could to make sure they had what they needed to be happy and successful in life even when finances were tight. The one thing you could count on was Bryan bragging about his kids. The last things Bryan asked for while he was still able to communicate was that daughter, Amanda be baptized and raised under the faith of God with his other kids; as well as making sure someone would see to it that his kids got to go hunting, fishing, and experience the outdoor farmer way of life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Jr. and Bernadine Schmidt; uncles, Jerry Terfehr and David (Lucille) Schmidt; aunt, Cyrilla (Lewis) Thoennes; and several first cousins on both the Schmidt and Terfehr sides.

Bryan is survived by his wife of two years, Pam; sons, Jaxson and Kenny; daughter, Amanda; two brothers, Andrew Schmidt of Parkers Prairie, and Robert “Bobby” (Danielle) Schmidt of Delta Junction, Alaska; nephew, Wesley Schmidt; and many cousins.

Urnbearers are Jeremy Schmidt, Tony Schmidt, Ron Woida, and Benjamin Suchy.

In lieu of flowers, help honor Bryan’s final wishes by helping his family in any way that you are able, even if it’s just grabbing the kids for a fishing date. Please do something in his memory and remember all the families who have lost loved ones to COVID.