Merle Schmidt

Merle joined the army in 1958. He serve 3 years before moving to the Army National Guard where he spent 22 more years and retired after 25 years as Staff Sargent. His list of medals and ribbons includes the following: Army Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Conduct Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal with Valor “V”, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with Oak Leaf, Army Service Ribbon, Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, South Dakota Army Guard Ribbon.

Merle is survived by his spouse of 29 years, Elizabeth Louise Schmidt; two of his nine siblings, Shirley Van Matre, and Carol Hedlund. He is also survived by a huge blended family of 9 children, 23 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by his very good friends Herb Emerson and Iris Muldur.

 He was preceded in death by 7siblings, 5 children and one grandchild.