Eugene 'Gene' Schmidt — Deerwood

Eugene F. "Gene" Schmidt, 88, of Deerwood, Minn., died on April 23, 2016, at his home.

He was born on Nov. 14, 1927, in Red Wing, to Edward A. and Blanche (Lange ) Schmidt. Gene graduated from Red Wing Central High School in 1945. He was a World War II Navy veteran. Gene married Janeth Ann Schlick on Feb. 3, 1951. He worked for the City of Red Wing as a police officer, attaining the rank of sergeant detective. He was also a self-employed painter and decorator until retiring in 1997.

Gene was active in baseball in Red Wing as a player and manager of the Scarlets and Aces. He was also a player for the Bay City, Wis., baseball team. In 2014, he was inducted into the Red Wing Baseball Hall of Fame. Gene was a member of the Red Wing Wildlife League, a lifetime member of B.P.O. Elks Lodge 845 Red Wing, and a member of American Legion Post 557, Deerwood.

Gene enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was an avid sports fan. He had a love for dogs, especially his black Lab, Sophie.

Gene is survived by his wife, Janeth, of 65 years; six children, Michael Schmidt of Hager City, Wis., Suzanne Anderson of Cold Spring, Minn., Kathleen (Daniel) Gray of Eden Prairie, Minn., Christian Schmidt of Chaska, Minn. Joel (Kelly) Schmidt of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., Amy (Randy) Stanfield of Deerwood; two sisters, Shirley "Polly" Nystrom of Austin and Katherine "Katy" (Curt Haller) Jorgensen of Red Wing; 16 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Stuart and William, and son-in-law, Mitchell Anderson.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, April 30, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Deerwood, with Father Dale Nau presiding. Military honors will follow. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Committal will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minn., on Monday, May 2 at 11 a.m.

Arrangements are by Koop Funeral Home of Crosby, Minn.