Larry Schmidt

Once upon a time in small town Saskatchewan an unlikely event occurred. A confirmed bachelor Hank, was walking down the street not a care in the world when a pretty young redhead walked by, Hank looked down and his heart was gone. That was Rose and they spent their whole lives in love with one another. Soon they were married, and on April 19th, 1943 while the whole world was at war, the peace of their home was also disrupted, by the cry of a baby boy and that was Larry Wayne Schmidt. Larry was adventurous, hard working, and fun-loving. He was known as a young man to be ready for a party, a sport, or a laugh. He loved to run! Like his parents Larry moved around and worked in a variety of locations and industries across Western Canada. He spent his childhood and young adult life in BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. And then one day Larry’s carefree rambling days bouncing around Canada came to an end when like his father before him he noticed a girl, Edna she sitting alone on a Greyhound Bus, and him asking: “Is this seat taken?” changed both their lives and they were married soon
after. Larry loved to tell a tale, and was described by his own father as “A man who never let the truth get in the way of a good story.” Larry found steady employment as a civilian employee at the Dundurn Military base just outside the town of Dundurn, Saskatchewan. Eventually he was a firefighter there. The Schmidt family also worked as custodial contractors providing janitorial services for a Dundurn church, the school, the community hall, the post office and the offices of a local manufacturing firm. Larry was a hard worker. After an early retirement from the fire hall brought about by health
complications. Larry was employed both as taxi driver and a security guard in nearby Saskatoon, working well past the normal retirement age. Eventually Larry and Edna made their home in the Elks Lodge in Hanley, Saskatchewan and in December 2021 they moved to Edmonton to be closer to the support of family as Larry’s health diminished with age. Larry died in the long term care facility he had called home since June of 2022, on September 14th, 2023 at the age of 80. Larry was predeceased by his younger brother Jim Schmidt, and his younger sisters Lynn Bolton, and Joyce Burkitt. He also suffered the loss of his son Kyle Schmidt. He is survived by his wife Edna, to whom he was married for over 52 years and their two remaining sons Kevin Schmidt and Jason Shine. Larry is also missed by Jason’s wife Charissa and their two children: Priscilla and Marquel. A simple memorial service will be held at 4pm on Saturday September 30th across the street from their recent home at the Hanley Community Hall in Hanley, Saskatchewan. All who wish to remember Larry are welcome.