John Carl Schmidt left us on Oct. 28, 2009. He was at home.
John was born on March 12, 1926, to Rudolph “Lute” and Nancy (Hansen) Schmidt of Le Sueur. John grew up in Le Sueur and graduated from Le Sueur High School in 1944. After graduating he volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Corps, and was stationed in the southwestern U.S. After his military service, John entered and graduated from the University of Minnesota Law School. While attending law school he married Barbara Blakeslee of Albert Lea. In 1954 John opened a law practice in Le Sueur. In 1980 he was appointed County Court Judge until 1987 when he became District Court Judge, a position he held until retiring in 1993.
John was a former member of the Lions Club, a longtime member of Masonic Lodge 45 AF & AM, a former member of Zuhrah Shrine, and a Le Sueur District School Board member during the late 1970s. Upon retirement John enjoyed his home in the woods and many good rounds of golf.
John is survived by his wife Barbara; his daughter, Kristin (Gregory) Schmidt; grandsons: Samuel (14) and Carlo (11), all of McKinleyville, Calif.; stepson, Nathan Schmidt of Duluth; nieces: Bette Wolf, Diane Rickhoff, Connie Martin and Denny Chadderdon, all from the metropolitan area; brother-in-law, Jerry (Beverly) Blakeslee and nephew, Jason, all of Albert Lea; and step nephews: Colin, Paul and Tom Minehart; and step nieces: Barbara Reynolds and Nancy Minehart.
John is preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Joan Chadderdon; and brother-in-law, Ozzie Chadderon.
A Masonic memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Kolden Funeral Home in Le Sueur. There will be a time of visitation starting at 2 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 3 p.m.