Kenneth C. Schmidt

Kenneth Cordell Schmidt, 74, of Wise River, MT passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday April 21st, 2021 at Bethany in Fargo, ND.
Kenneth was born on May 15, 1946 in Grafton, ND to Raymond and Annette (Keene) Schmidt.  He grew up and attended school in Grafton.  He enjoyed participating in Boy Scouts, playing hockey and working at his family’s chicken hatchery. Kenneth married Catherine (Cathy) Warner in October 1964.  While married to Cathy, they had two daughters, Trina and Priscilla.
Kenneth enlisted in the United States Army on March 14, 1969 at Salt Lake City, UT and served in the 8th Army in communications as a Radio Operator.  He was honorably discharged from active military service with the rank of Sergeant on March 6, 1971 at Fort Lewis, WA.
Upon return from the Army, Ken settled in Breckenridge, CO and started his career in construction.  When he was not working, he loved skiing the CO mountains, always in search of the perfect powder, which was frequently off the trails.  Ken continued his construction career in the Minneapolis, MN, area where he worked on such projects as the IDS Center and the Metro Dome, giving him a reputable status in and around the Twin Cities.  In the late 80’s early 90s, he headed a project bringing American carpenters to Japan to build Americanized homes.  Shortly after, he’d had enough of the city life and headed West to the mountains of Montana.  It was there that his contracting company, KC Schmidt Builders, spent several years on a project for the engineer who developed the technology that was used to locate the Titanic. Ken resided in MT, which he affectionately referred to as God’s country, for almost 30 years.
Ken was happiest when he was one with nature and active outdoors.  He loved snow skiing, water skiing, white water rafting, hunting, fishing, golf and RVing in AZ during the winters. 
Kenneth is survived by his two daughters, Trina (Ken) Mikula, Grand Forks, ND and Priscilla Wagner, New Hope, MN. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Marquise (Patrick) LaDouceur; Bryan (Kelsey) Scholler; Justine (Conner Collins) Scholler; Callie Hjemstad; Keaton Hjelmstad; Jason (Kim Son) Mikula; Jesse (Shannon) Mikula; and Haley (Justin) Moody; 9 great grandchildren: Hayden Johnson; Kross and Luca LaDouceur, Quinn and Madelyn Scholler, Cove Collins, Finlay and Eleanor Mikula, and Zane Mikula. He is also survived by a nephew, Bradley Schmidt and a niece, Jennifer (Josh) de la Fuente; great niece, Luna de la Fuente and great nephews, Patrick and Henry Schmidt.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Annette Schmidt; by his brother, Philip Schmidt and by his great granddaughter, Penelope Moody.
Celebration of Life: 2:00 p.m.  on Friday, April 30, 2021 in the Historic  Norman Funeral Home Chapel.
Interment:  Later this summer at Montana State Veterans Cemetery, Helena, MT.
Military Honors:  Accorded at the time of the interment.

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